Bolivian Warbling Finch

Very distinctive humminbird; both sexes have mossy green bodies and bold white throats and bellies. The bill is bicolored with a red lower mandible. Found in a variety of habitats such as forest edge, plantations, and gardens, mostly in the lowlands. Often visits feeders. Call is an irregular dry “chip.”

A chunky, martin-like dark blue and reddish-brown cliff swallow with a rusty rump and undertail and a smudgy dark collar that may be incomplete. Colonies of 10-1000 pairs nest under bridges, in culverts, in quarries, and occasionally on cliffs, often near water. After breeding in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe between September and April, the species migrates to the southern Congo basin for the austral winter. It forages over grassland, lightly wooded savanna, and arid shrubland for insects. The similar Red-throated Swallow is smaller and more slender than the South African Swallow, with white tail spots, a uniform rufous throat, and a breast that lacks dark mottling.

Warm brown above and pale below; strong dark eyestripe contrasts with white eyebrow. Smallish reed warbler with long and strongly rounded tail, short bill with dark tip, and short primary projection. Difficult to separate visually from other small Acrocephalus warblers, especially Blunt-winged Warbler; note Paddyfield’s more prominent pale eyebrow which strengthens behind the eye, as well as longer-winged appearance. Also compare with Iduna warblers. Breeds in extensive reed beds; in nonbreeding season found in marshes, but also more scrubby areas. Distinctive, melodious song.