White-rumped Kingfisher

A rather dark swallow of the Andean highlands from Venezuela to Bolivia. Head and back are dark iridescent blue. Throat and belly are dusty grayish-brown. Tail is relatively long with a deep fork. Flocks are found over forest and clearings, especially around nesting sites on cliffs and landslides. Occurs from 2,500-4,000m, often higher than Blue-and-white Swallow but plenty of overlap.

This striking lapwing is best identified by its long yellow wattles, white belly, and gray head split down the center by a broad white crown stripe. In flight, the distinctive wings are almost entirely white with black tips. It prefers breeding and foraging on large permanent rivers with extensive sand banks but will also wander to smaller streams and pans. It utters a loud “kriiip” call when alarmed or defending its territory. The similar Wattled Lapwing differs from White-headed Lapwing by having a dark belly and red-based wattles.

Very similar and closely related to European Pied Flycatcher. Males have mixed features of Collared and European Pied Flycatchers, but note very large white wing patch and big white forehead. Also note the absence of a white collar and pale rump patch on Atlas Flycatcher. Females are very difficult to distinguish, but note gray upperparts with paler rump and big white primary base patch. Song is a cheery up-and-down series, quite similar to that of European Pied. Calls subtly different from European Pied Flycatcher with a slightly more metallic "whit" and a slower tempo. Inhabits a variety of wooded habitats in the Atlas Mountains.