Angola Lark

Rare and elusive night-heron with a bug-eyed, almost “alien,” appearance. Highly localized, seldom encountered far from its nesting colonies and roost sites. Black above with gray streaking on the chest and a clean white-and-orange head pattern, though this can be hard to see in poor lighting. Forages quietly in well-shaded forest streams, but most reliably seen in its small breeding colonies, usually hidden deep in a stand of bamboo or evergreen trees.

A tiny hawk with a dark slaty back, an owl-like facial expression, and dense red-brown and gray barring on the breast with redder flanks. These dark colors contrast with the hawk’s yellowish face and legs. Rarely encountered in thick forest, where it can sometimes be seen attending to driver ant swarms. This species closely resembles the larger Red-chested Goshawk, but note the small size and, if possible, look for the long inner claw relative to the other toes. Vocalizations undescribed.

Handsome finch-like bird found only on the west slope of the Andes in central Peru. Adult is gray with chestnut wings and black face and throat. The legs and bill are yellow; the white outer tail feathers are usually only evident in flight. Similar to Rufous-backed Inca-Finch, but has a smaller black mask, larger throat patch, and browner back. Juvenile is washed out and streaky, showing only a hint of the face and throat markings. Inhabits arid areas with dense scrub, and feeds mainly on the ground.