The black-eared warbler or Costa Rican warbler (Basileuterus melanotis) is a species of bird in the family Parulidae. It was previously considered conspecific with the three-striped warbler and the Tacarcuna warbler.

Black-eared warbler
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Basileuterus
Species:
B. melanotis
Binomial name
Basileuterus melanotis
Lawrence, 1868
Synonyms

Basileuterus tristriatus chitrensis

Description

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The black-eared warbler measures 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. It is mostly olive-brown with a buffy belly and underparts. It has distinct black and white striping on the head and a dark cheek. Male and female three-striped warblers have similar plumages.

Their song is a rapid series of squeaky chirps.

Distribution and habitat

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It is found from Costa Rica to western Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest. The black-eared warbler typically forages on the ground, especially near riparian areas.

References

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  • Donegan, T.M. 2014. Geographical variation in morphology and voice of Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 134: 79–109.
  • Gutiérrez-Pinto, N., A.M. Cuervo, J. Miranda, J.L. Pérez-Emán, R.T. Brumfield, and C.D. Cadena. 2012. Non-monophyly and deep genetic differentiation across low-elevation barriers in a Neotropical montane bird (Basileuterus tristriatus; Aves: Parulidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 64: 156–165.