Black-browed Triller

A large finch of extreme conditions, this is a breeder of sparsely vegetated, often barren environments such as glacier and cliff edges, rocky slopes, scrubby open meadows, and boulder fields; descends into open or scrubby habitat in the winter. Male is dark streaky brown with a crimson face and breast; female is streaky brown all over with no hint of a facial pattern. Large size and habitat serve to distinguish this from similar species.

A fairly large, common raptor of forest and more open wooded areas from the lowlands to the lower mountains. Dark brown with white speckles on the crown and upperparts, rufous-brown below with large white spots. Note the gray cheek and yellow eye. Differs from other raptors in its range by its bare yellow skin between the bill and eye, and in flight by its dark terminal band to the wings and tail. Often gives a whistled “weeeeeuuuu weu weu” in flight, or sometimes just a single note.

Active little bird of shrubbery, hedges, and gardens, mainly in the Andes, but down to coast in northern Chile and Peru. Usually in pairs or family groups and not with mixed-species flocks. Feeds low to high at fruit and flowers, rarely staying still long and often hidden in foliage. Grayish overall with variable buffy wash to underparts. Best identified by white eyebrow, sharply pointed bill, and small white wing flash; no other species in range looks very similar.