Lesser Masked-Owl

Large screech-owl found in temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 m. Quite dark brown overall with small pale spots and bars covering head, back, and wings. Belly is paler tawny with dark streaks. White throat patch is usually obvious. Sexes similar. Strictly nocturnal and thus more often heard than seen; listen for a fairly short and slow series of toots that descends in pitch, often given as a duet.

Large, rare tinamou found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. It is uniformly sooty gray, much darker and plainer than Gray Tinamou. Rusty lower underparts are hard to see in the field. Like other forest tinamous, it is far more likely to be heard than seen. Vocalizations include a low, drawn out coo, like a dove’s but longer, and a series of low, modulated whistles.

Giant, upright, barred antpitta of cloud forest. Long and heavy bill, gray crown and nape, brown forehead and upperparts, and buffy throat. Underparts and cheeks ochre with strong black barring. Sexes similar. Rare and difficult to see even when singing. Mostly in darker understory in very wet cloud forest rich in palms, on the floor or at mid-levels. Song is a long, trilled “Br’ur’ur’ur’ur’ur’ur’…” ending abruptly, very similar to Undulated Antpitta but more uniform in pitch and pace. Also very similar in plumage to Undulated Antpitta, which has a smaller bill and body size, as well a blackish moustache and less contrast between forehead and crown than Great. Endemic to Venezuela with three isolated populations.