White-backed Thrush

An enigmatic dark forest weaver with a reddish-brown forehead and crown and a golden-orange collar on the hind neck. Male has reddish-brown extending to the breast and throat and golden streaks on the back, which the female lacks. Very poorly known and localized, restricted to primary and secondary lowland forest and forest edge in the Ituri and Semliki forests in the western Congo Basin. Although it is distinctive in appearance, it is possible that this species is a hybrid. The voice has been described as a weak chatter. 

A striking little bird, shaped like a robust gnatcatcher. Note the bold black-and-buff head pattern, black chest fading to rufous flanks, and bright rufous on the wings. Tail is long and narrow. Unmistakable if seen well, but compare with Marañon Crescentchest, which has silvery wing edges and more richly-colored underparts. Secretive; singles or pairs skulk in dense thickets and understory of dry woodland and second growth, up to 2,300 m. More often detected by song; listen for a series of loud, popping chip notes.

Small, uniformly dark pewee, elusive in the canopy of humid forests, often at higher elevations in Andean foothills but also apparently patchily in Amazonian lowlands. Usually found perching upright at the top of tall trees. Call is a high “peep” like Tropical Pewee, sometimes double-noted.