Noronha Vireo

A mysterious medium-sized rail, possibly of foothill or montane grassy areas and forests. Dark brown above with a pale gray chest, a whitish throat, a barred belly, blackish legs, and a fairly long, curved reddish bill. Little known in life and mainly seen at a banding station, suggesting local migration. Similar to Slaty-breasted and Buff-banded Rails, but Luzon has a fairly unpatterned back, a longer, thinner bill, and no rufous on the head. Voice little known, although when distressed, gives a sharp “kwik!” and various squeals.

Set apart from other barwings in its range by its pure white belly and an orangish wash over the front of the face. Like other barwings, it forages in pairs and small flocks, sometimes with other species. Gives a range of different calls, with its most distinctive one being a three-note whistle in which the third note is considerably lower than the first two.

Handsome antwren found in the canopy of lowland rainforest in eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, and southern Colombia. Male is gray with black crown, eye-stripe, and upper tail; wings are black with white bars and tail has white edges. Female is similar but with a brown crown and buffy or yellowish wash on breast. Compared to Ancient Antwren, male Dugand’s lacks yellow on underparts, and female has a brown crown. Usually seen with mixed-species flocks very high in the trees. More easily seen from a canopy tower or walkway if one is available. Song is a fast, accelerating series of dry “chup” notes.