Red-vented Barbet

Tiny hummingbird of desert lowlands and foothills; found in gardens, agricultural areas with flowers, and native scrub. Adult male with long black-and-white tail “streamers” is basically unmistakable, but greatly outnumbered by females and immatures, which look much like several other small hummingbirds. On females and immatures note the relatively long tail with pale edging to the shorter central feathers and lack of rusty tones to the plumage overall.

Uncommon in southern Andes; range does not overlap with Mountain Caracara. Favors open habitats above treeline, but also ranges lower to scavenge at dumps and in farmland with open trees. Often associates with Chimango and Crested Caracaras at the dump outside Ushuaia, Argentina. Sails, soars, and tumbles easily on updrafts. Adult is handsome and strikingly patterned black-and-white with creamy white underparts and a bold white tail tip. Juvenile is rather similar to smaller Chimango Caracara, but distinguished by black (not pale) bill.

A distinctive medium-sized yellow bird with a black head and breast, black flight feathers, and a red bill. In flight, the black band towards the tail tip is visible. Juvenile is duller overall with a white streaked throat and a darker bill. Often feeds on fruiting trees with a preference for figs in wooded gardens, groves, and open forests. The song is rich, fluty, and mellow. Calls include raspy, nasal notes that can sound like a croak.