Black-billed Woodhoopoe

Small flycatcher found in dry and semi-humid forest in western Ecuador and western Peru. It is mostly gray with pale wingbars and a small crest. Some birds show a small amount of yellow on the belly. Prefers drier habitats than Eastern Wood-Pewee and Western Wood-Pewee, and only rarely found together with them. Tropical Pewee has shorter wings, a longer tail, and may show a faint spot between the eye and bill. Voice is very distinctive. Typical song in most of its range is a clear, whistled “pee, wee”; occasionally more notes are given. In the Marañón Valley it gives a different “chee-wit” or “chee-chee-widit”. Often encountered on an exposed branch, from which it makes regular sallies to hunt insects. It may return to the same perch repeatedly. Formerly considered a subspecies of Tropical Pewee.

Small heron, usually found in reed beds, expansive marshes, and rice fields; can occasionally be found in parks with sheltered areas, particularly lotus ponds and shaded pools. Generally uncommon throughout its range; never in the high densities of Yellow Bittern. Male is smartly attired, with a black cap, brown back, and a white neck and breast with a dark line extending down from the throat. Female is darker, with fine white spotting on the back and pale brown streaks on the throat. Compare with Cinnamon Bittern. Males give a gruff “roof, roof, roof” on the breeding grounds.

Bulky woodcreeper with a stout, deeply curved bill. Very rare in tall, wet Andean cloud forest. Brown with buffy streaks on head, neck, and underparts. Dual white stripes on face and thicker bill distinguish it from Brown-billed Scythebill. Usually found alone, sometimes with mixed-species flocks; probes for insects while creeping along moss-covered trunks and branches. Gives a variety of nasal, whiny-sounding squeaks.