Pale-throated Pampa-Finch

Large, lanky hummingbird of the high Andes; ranges from extreme southern Colombia south to Peru. Green with blue vent, white leg puffs, and fairly long tail. Birds from Ecuador have a blue forehead. Peruvian birds have little or no blue on the forehead, a coppery nape, and may show a bluish tinge on the belly. Sexes similar, though females from southern Peru can have a whitish belly. Encountered at edge of humid forest, aggressively defending flower patches.

Plumage is rather dark overall, grayish above and dull wine-red below; note narrow red eyering and fairly bright yellowish legs. No similar species in most of its range. Skulking and difficult to see well, although when singing in spring may perch atop a bush, the long tail often held slightly cocked. Song is composed of short whistles and harsher rattles; calls are dry and scolding. Breeds in dense scrubby habitats, especially heathland with gorse. Winters in similar habitats, albeit averaging more open and occasionally grassy.

A striking tinamou of the northern chaco desert and scrub. Very similar to Elegant Crested-Tinamou, but range does not overlap. Prefers dense scrub and understory, but can also be seen in openings and roadsides. Voice distinctive, and quite different from Elegant Crested-Tinamou: two whistles that are each flat in pitch, then rising sharply in pitch at the end - “Tooooo-wee! Tooo-wee!”