Entomodestes coracinus
The Black Solitaire (Entomodestes coracinus) is a medium-sized, elusive songbird of the family Turdidae, renowned for its strikingly dark plumage and ethereal vocalizations. Measuring approximately 20-23 cm (8-9 inches) in length, males are entirely glossy blue-black, presenting a sleek and almost uniform appearance that can be challenging to spot amidst the dim forest understory. Females, while also dark, exhibit a duller sooty-brown to brownish-black coloration, representing the primary for...
Found primarily in humid to wet montane cloud forests and their edges, often in areas with dense understory. It typically inhabits elevations between 900 and 2,800 meters above sea level.
Primarily insectivorous, catching a variety of flying insects and gleaning others from foliage. It also supplements its diet with small fruits and berries.
The Black Solitaire is a largely solitary and exceedingly shy species, typically active during daylight hours and often observed perched upright within the mid-story or canopy. Its foraging strategy involves sallying forth from a perch to snatch flying insects in mid-air, a technique known as 'fl...
The Black Solitaire is a resident species distributed across the humid montane regions of South America, primarily within the Andes. Its range extends from western Venezuela through the Central and Western Andes of Colombia, continuing southward along the Andean slopes of Ecuador, and reaching in...
Least Concern
- The Black Solitaire's scientific name, 'coracinus,' is Latin for 'raven-like,' referring to its dark, glossy plumage. - Its mournful, flute-like song is considered one of the most beautiful and evocative vocalizations in the Andean forests. - Unlike many thrushes, it rarely descends to the grou...