Grayish Mourner

Medium-sized kingfisher of shaded mountain streams in mature hill forest. Like a larger version of Common Kingfisher, but much darker and with no orange behind the ear. Bill is heavy and all-dark; its length and girth give the bird a heavy-headed appearance. Perches low over the water on boulders and low-hanging branches, from which it gives a hoarse, rasping call.

Small black-and-white bird with a bright red patch of bare skin above the eye. Males have a black breast band, and females a brown throat. Found in thick woodland, gallery forest, and mangroves. The song is usually given as a duet: a descending series of melancholy whistles from the male, and lower rasping notes from the female. Similar to Black-throated Wattle-eye, but shows a white slash on the wing, and the female has a brown rather than white throat. Separated from batises by the red wattle and, in females, by the brown throat.

Distinctive, but rather local and uncommon in Chile (more common in Argentina and elsewhere) in grassy wetlands, reedy marshes, and on lakes. Associates with other waterfowl, but usually is not out on open water and is easily overlooked. Readily identified by small size, dark cap, pale cheeks, and blue bill with yellow patch at base. Range does not overlap with the larger and more boldly patterned Puna Teal.