Black-hooded Sierra Finch

Brown thrush-like bird of the Peruvian coastline; it never ventures very far from the ocean. Note the buffy wing markings and white streaking on the throat, though its highly specialized habitat is the best identification feature; any brown land bird foraging at the edge of the sea is likely to be this species. Prefers rocky areas over sandy beaches; also seen along concrete embankments.

Tiny songbird of mountain and hill forests; ranges from the Himalayas south to the Malay Peninsula on the Asian mainland, with an isolated population in Taiwan’s highlands. Adult male is dark blue above and pale creamy white below, with a black stripe leading down the belly from a brilliantly red patch like a bloodstain on the breast. Female is much plainer, brownish-olive above and off-white below; lacks the bright white throat of Plain and female Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers. Often forages at flowers blooming in the canopy. Gives a high, thin, up-and-down “tsee’ip, tsee’ip, tsee’ip” and a rising series of ticks (often ending with more metallic notes); calls include dry tick notes and high, thin “tseet”s.

Small hummingbird found in dry, scrubby regions of the Andes; also in coastal deserts in Peru. Male has a glittering blue throat bordered below by purple. Female lacks this and has a rusty wash on white underparts; the extent of this rusty color varies between individuals. Also note slightly curved bill. Male performs swooping U-shaped display flights, alternately giving high-pitched twitters and low-pitched mechanical sounds while doing so. Not known to visit feeders.