10,000 Birds

Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli belli
Desierto de los Leones, Mexico City, 26 March 2005

The only species of Basileuterus endemic to northern Central America, the Golden-browed Warbler is fairly common and found in pine-oak forest (like that at Desierto de los Leones) and cloud forest with a dense understory from 1300-3500m. Birds are sedentary and pairs remain on territory throughout the year.

Five races occur, though all intergrade where they meet. B.b bateli occurs in Western Mexico through to the Districto Federal where it intergrades with B. b. belli - however belli usually shows dark lores (as in the bird in the photo below) rather than rufous. The other races range from southern Mexico through Guatemala and Honduras, well to the south of this individual.
(Adapted from “New World Warblers”, Curson J. et al, Helm 1994.)

 

 

 

 

All photos copyright Charlie Moores