Pheasant Coucal

Tiny owl of Amazonian lowlands. Found in a variety of habitats, including forest edges and mature rainforest. Gray head contrasts against broad reddish brown streaks down its white belly. Round head without ear tufts and largely white undersides distinguish it from screech-owls. Similar to larger Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, but has a smaller, grayer head, and is less finely streaked. Also note vocal differences; Amazonian Pygmy-owl call is a rapid, slightly descending series of toots too fast to imitate. Sings mostly around dawn and dusk, but also sometimes during the day and at night.

A heavily marked rosefinch that is closely related to and extremely similar to Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch. Male averages more extensively pink with a broader pink brow. The female, on the other hand is almost indistinguishable; look for a more square-tipped and slightly shorter tail. Best distinguished by calls; gives sharp metallic notes instead of Himalayan Beautiful’s more mellow trills and twitters. Inhabits similar montane scrub and open forest habitat, occasionally ventures down into the outskirts of towns and villages; often singly or in pairs.

Small, dark member of the waxbill family. The back is red, the wings and tail black, and the underparts dull olive. Males and females are similar, though males show a red patch on the face and females a pale yellow one. Found in middle-elevation montane forest, mainly in thick and wet areas, such as along streams, and including forest edge and glades. Inconspicuous bird that is usually found in pairs or small groups. The call is a high-pitched “tsit.” Similar in size and overall coloration to Abyssinian Crimsonwing, but paler, and shows red or yellow on the face.