Olive-backed Tailorbird

Small, pale flycatcher with a faint eyebrow. Slender, grayish tan overall, with white wingbars, a fairly long tail, and slim bill. Compared to the similar Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, has a less distinct facial pattern (Mouse-colored has a strong eyebrow) and a longer, slimmer bill, and forages more actively; changing perches frequently with quick flits between branches. Found in shrubby secondary forest on its breeding grounds in southern South America; migrates north during the austral winter into the Amazon, where it is found in secondary forest and river’s-edge forest. Song is a descending high trill with a stuttered introductory note; calls are similar but shorter.

Small flycatcher of humid tepui forests. Best field marks are grizzled black-and-white face, dark lores, and gray crown. Also note clean grayish-white underparts. Found in forests at middle and higher elevations (above 800 m) on tepui slopes, where it typically occurs in pairs and forages actively for insects, often joining mixed-species flocks. Generally gives only indistinct chip notes while foraging, but may also give an arresting, staccato rattle very unlike other birds in range. Most likely to be confused with the more common Chapman’s Bristle-Tyrant but has conspicuously dark lores and a gray crown and lacks yellow tones on breast and belly.

Small, compact white heron with relatively short yellow bill. More often seen in dry habitats than other egrets, but also frequent in rice paddies and shallow wetlands. In the breeding season, look for bright orange head and breast, as well as a brighter bill. Leg color varies from reddish or yellow during the breeding season to black during the nonbreeding season. Juveniles have dark bill. Always note relatively short, thick neck and short legs compared with other egrets. Often gathers in flocks, frequently following large animals and field machinery.