Rusty-backed Monjita

A big, powerful goshawk. Adults are gray on the back with fine gray barring below; females much larger. Immatures have a brown back and thick streaks below. Endemic to Madagascar, where it is a scarce resident of all types of primary forest. Rarely sits in the open, and only occasionally soars. Territorial call is a loud repeated “khew” which is often given in flight. Males can be very hard to separate from similarly-sized female Madagascar Sparrowhawk. On Henst’s, look for fine bars on the undertail, a completely barred throat, and a central toe of normal length. Immatures may only be separable based on toe length. Also very similar to the rare Madagascar Serpent-Eagle. Subtle differences include slightly smaller size, evenly-spaced barring on the chest, thicker black bands on the tail, and an unbarred back. 

Rare antwren restricted to a small area of the eastern Andes in northern Peru. Note the black cap, striped face, white wingbars, and lack of rufous in the wing. Female has a buffy tinge on her face and throat. While several other antwrens in Peru share similar plumage features, none of them occur in the limited range of this species. Inhabits the canopy of stunted cloud forest, especially on ridgetops. Song starts with a few rising notes and ends with a descending trill.

Rare and endangered bird found at high elevations in the western Andes of northern and central Peru. Note the black mask and the reddish-orange eyebrows, throat, and breast. Similar to Rufous-browed Hemispingus of the eastern Andes, but eyebrows are shorter and connect over the bill. Young birds mostly lack the mask and eyebrow and are heavily streaked below. Inhabits scrub and stunted woodland.