Dark Pewee

Small seed-eating bird with a thick black bill. Male strikingly black-and-white, with much variation in extent of black breastband and white wingbars. Averages darker at western end of range (Ecuador and Peru), paler along coast of northeastern South America. Separated from other black-and-white seedeaters by dark bill, white throat and collar imparting cowled appearance. No known range overlap with similar Variable Seedeater. Females nondescript brown and very difficult to distinguish from other seedeaters, sometimes best left unidentified. Look for thick black bill with curved culmen. Found in disturbed habitats including pastures, river edges, and scrubby weedy areas. Usually in pairs or small flocks, sometimes mixed with other seedeater species.

Tiny dove with short, square-tipped tail. Male is sandy brown with a pinkish hue, female is slightly duller. Look for scaly pattern on neck and breast, dark spots on wings, and pink bill with dark tip. In flight, look for rufous wings and small white corners on tail. Fairly common from the southern U.S. to southeast Brazil. Inhabits open or shrubby areas with tall grasses or groves of trees, including riparian corridors and open savannas; also in towns. Usually in pairs or small groups on the ground; also perches in low trees and shrubs. Eats seeds, grains, and some insects. Compare with female Ruddy Ground Dove and Plain-breasted Ground Dove, especially because female Common can have reduced scaling. Can occur in mixed flocks with other ground doves.

Small short-tailed antbird found around still and slow-moving water in humid forest. Medium gray; tail black, with a broad white terminal band. Males have a black throat; females are lighter underneath. Forages low at the water’s edge and in vegetation overhanging the water around oxbow lakes and streams. The male’s song is an ascending series of whistles accelerating into a harsh descending series; it can be attention-grabbing with its grating snarling ending.