Singing Cisticola

This species occurs from western Venezuela to extreme northern Peru. It is fairly common in high elevation grasslands or open shrubby areas with patches of bare ground. Look for a medium-sized, chunky brown bird with a bold whitish eyebrow and throat. In flight, shows an obvious buffy wing stripe. Singles or pairs forage in the open and are often quite approachable. Compare with Stout-billed Cinclodes, which as you may have deduced from the name has a notably stouter (and more curved) bill. Chestnut-winged was formerly a member of the Bar-winged Cinclodes complex, which has since been split into three species.

An upright bird of montane forests. Male is dark blue above and orange below, with a dark face. Female looks completely different: gray-brown with boldly scaled underparts and a whitish crescent behind the ear. Female White-throated Rock Thrush is similar, but browner, with a spotted back and no pale ear crescent. Usually seen in pairs, perched quietly on a rock or exposed branch at canopy level. Song is a series of buzzy whistles; most common call is a distincive low, harsh scratching noise.

Smallest Australian nocturnal bird, primarily gray-brown with large eyes, relatively long tail, and "whiskers" on the face. During the day, usually seen only if one is peering out of a roosting hollow. Small size and near lack of eyeshine make this species also difficult to locate at night; the call, a loud, brief "chew," is the best way to locate one.