Puna Plover

A plain gray-brown chat that has rusty ear patches and a rufous rump and outer tail feathers that outline an inverted black “T” pattern on the tail. The juvenile is spotted and scaled buff. The species occurs in a broad range of habitats, but favors rocky areas, gullies, outcrops, and buildings, where it often perches conspicuously. It drops to the ground or into a bush to feed on invertebrates and frequently flicks both wings simultaneously and lifts its tail. The similar Sickle-winged Chat has longer legs, a more conspicuous eye-ring, a creamy-orange rump, and a different tail pattern; Brown-tailed Chat also has a different tail pattern.

Drab and nomadic finch-like bird found in desert and arid scrub in northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador. While some birds show a distinct yellowish wash on their face and throat and a short mustache, many individuals lack these features, and easily could be confused with female Parrot-billed Seedeater. Sulphur-throated Finch has a more striped back and a differently shaped bill, with a more curving top edge and a longer and straighter bottom edge. In the dry season, this species may congregate in flocks of hundreds of birds that fly around in tight, swirling formations.

A brightly colored bird with various shades of blue on the wings, tails, and belly that are often more prominent in flight. Note the longitudinal white streaks on the throat and breast. Indochinese Roller has a purple-blue breast, a darker olive back, and is generally darker blue. Generally silent, but more vocal in breeding season with harsh calls. Prefers open areas, including agricultural landscapes, sitting on exposed perches including electric wires, occasionally pumping its tail slowly. Practically a resident roller with some movements in the western parts of its range.