Red-and-white Antpitta

A tiny bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Golden-olive above, darker on the edge of the wing, with white underparts and dark gray from the sides of the throat becoming broad streaks on the sides of the chest. Note the slightly hooked bill and the red eye. From below, somewhat similar to Pygmy Flowerpecker with its dark sides, but Olive-backed has a golden-olive back. Voice includes a sweet, high-pitched upslurred whistle and a sharp “tsik!” call, sometimes run together in a rapid series.

Longer-winged than Red-tailed Hawk, but otherwise the same size. Found in prairies and agricultural regions of western U.S. and Canada in warm months. Varies in color from rather pale with white belly to completely brown. Light morph is more common with brown breast band contrasting with white throat and belly. In flight from below, note dark primaries and secondaries contrasting with whitish forewing of light morph. Winters in South America and along Pacific coast of Central America. Extremely rare in U.S. in winter.

Dark, short-tailed wren, quite shy and difficult to see. Overall brown with paler grayish throat and rather long, straight bill. Some populations have more scaling on breast than others. Found on the ground inside forest, where it makes an interesting song. Listen for a series of whistled notes, starting off high-pitched with a few in rapid succession, then each note dropping in pitch and spaced further and further apart. The whole series can last for minutes. Far more often heard than seen.