Marañon Gnatcatcher

Large, stocky gull with a stout bill. Adults have rather dark gray upperparts and bright pink legs. Takes four years for immatures to progress from mostly brown to fully white and gray adult plumage; intermediate plumages are often mottled and messy. Starts to develop dark gray back in second year. At all ages, look for overall stocky shape and large bill. Strictly coastal, occurring along beaches and bays along the Pacific coast. Commonly seen around coastal towns and cities, but almost never ventures inland. Identification is muddied by frequent hybridization, especially with Glaucous-winged Gull at the northern end of its range. Hybrids can show any mix of intermediate traits; some are best left unidentified.

A woodland species that also ventures into parks and gardens. Often found in groups of up to five foraging at middle to upper heights and uncommonly joins mixed-species flocks. Note this species’ black cheek, which is bordered below by broad white moustache stripes and above by a gray crown. The similar Black-crowned Palm-Tanager has an entirely white throat and a black crown. Vocalizations are poorly known, but include a high thin “tseeoo” that is briefer than similar note of Black-crowned.

Small flycatcher endemic to the Venezuela Andes. Plumage is entirely slate gray except for its conspicuous white eyebrows, which can shine like headlights in the gloom. Inhabits cloud forest, and almost always seen near rushing mountain streams. Typical vocalization is a short, descending rasp repeated every few seconds. Formerly lumped with Chestnut-bellied Chat-Tyrant, which only barely reaches over Colombian border into Venezuela and does not overlap with Blackish.