Collared Scops-Owl

Otus lettia

Medium-sized owl with significant variation in plumage and vocalizations across its large range. Either gray or brown in coloration, with prominent pale ear tufts and pale face outlined in black. Fond of open wooded habitats from lowlands to foothills, often found roosting in temples, houses, and gardens, particularly in rural areas. Larger and more strongly tufted than both Oriental and Mountain Scops-Owls; both also lack the black facial border. Listen for this species’ incisive, short hoots, given at well-spaced intervals (often around 10 seconds).

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Otus lettia
Authority
(Hodgson, 1836)
Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae
Genus
Otus

Range and habitat

Migration
Vertical migration

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Ochre-fronted Antpitta

Ochre-fronted Antpitta

Grallaricula ochraceifrons

Small, streaky antpitta found only in a small area of the eastern Andes in northern Peru. Note the strongly marked underparts and the white mustache. Male has a chestnut face and forehead; female lacks this and has a much thicker eye-ring. Inhabits the understory of epiphyte-laden cloud forest. Unlike most larger antpittas, it is usually seen on a low perch and only occasionally comes down to the ground. Visits a feeder in at least one private reserve. Song is a short, high-pitched whistle given about every 10 seconds.

White-winged Swamp Warbler

White-winged Swamp Warbler

Bradypterus carpalis

Dark, long-tailed, long-billed wetland warbler. There is a small white shoulder mark and heavy streaking and spotting on the underparts. Found in papyrus swamp. Shy and difficult to see; most often detected by voice. Song starts with slow and hesitant notes, speeds up, then ends with a trill made by beating the wings together at incredible speed. The white shoulder and heavily streaked breast separate it from reed warblers and other swamp warblers.

Barred Fruiteater

Barred Fruiteater

Pipreola arcuata

Chunky, short-tailed, flat-headed bird patterned in green and black. Male has black head and breast, pale yellow belly with bold dark barring, and mossy green upperparts with bold pale spotting on the wing. Female is similar but has a green head with barring all the way up the throat. On both sexes, note red bill and legs and pale eye varying from orange to gray to whitish. Fairly common in stunted forested habitats in the upper subtropical and temperate zone in the Andes. Sluggish; perches quietly in the middle levels of the forest, sometimes following a mixed-species flock. May be seen singly or in pairs, but several can gather around a fruiting tree. Listen for super high-pitched calls.

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