Gray-tailed Piha (Snowornis subalaris)

Identification & Behavior: ~23.5 (9.2 in). The Gray-tailed Piha is mostly olive-green. The belly, vent, undertail coverts, and tail are gray. It has a noticeable yellowish orbital skin and also a median black stripe on the crown. It forages in the midstory of humid montane forest in a similar fashion as other pihas or trogons; staying motionless for long periods of time before launching on insects or hanging fruit. It is very similar to the Olivaceous Piha but is distinguished by ranging at lower elevations and by having a distinctively gray belly, vent, undertail coverts, and tail.

Status: The Gray-tailed Piha is found in disjunct populations on the east slope of the Andes where it is common to rare at elevations ranging between 800-1350 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Piha de Cola Gris.

Sub-species: Gray-tailed Piha (Snowornis subalaris), (P. L. Sclater), 1861.

Meaning of Name: Snowornis: Snow= In honor of Dr. David William Snow (1924-2009) English ornithologist, ecologist and Gr. ornis, ornithos= bird. subalaris: L. sub= underneath and ala= armpit, wing. subalaris= under the wings.

See more of the Family Cotingidae