Southern Bentbill

A large, long-winged buzzard which may recall a small eagle in size. Variable plumage with three color morphs. All have obvious dark carpal patches at the wrist of the wing. Juveniles lack the adult’s prominent black trailing edge to the wings. Often hunts from a prominent perch, or sits on the ground and scans for prey. A species of open steppe and desert country, sometimes in more wooded areas but always near big open spaces. Compare with similar Common and Upland Buzzards, as well as Rough-legged Hawk; note long-winged structure, size, and wings held in “V” in soaring flight.

Brown hornbill with a white belly and an orange bill. The white corners of the tail are conspicuous in flight. Note the black mask around the eye. Found in woodland, especially those dominated by mopane and Zambezi teak. Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally small flocks. Call is a long, insistent series of piping notes. Fairly similar to Monteiro’s Hornbill, but lacks white in the wings, and has small white corners to the tail rather than completely white outer tail feathers. Also similar to Crowned Hornbill, but separated by paler overall coloration, paler orange bill without a casque, and lack of white streaks on the head.

Rotund bird with long legs and a short tail, endemic to the eastern Andes of northern Peru. Plumage is mostly brown with an orange tinge to the underparts. Very similar to Chestnut Antpitta, but found at higher elevations and has a different voice. Vocalizations include a “pit-grrrr” with a dry, purring quality, repeated over and over, and a rising series of vibrating whistles. Inhabits understory of high elevation cloud forest, and usually stays on the ground except when singing. It was described as a new species in 2020, and was previously considered a form of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.