Black Sittella

This hummingbird is found in humid forest in mountainous regions of eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil. Plumage is bright green with a coppery rump and tail, and belly ranges in color from pale gray to buff. Occasionally seen in lowlands, where it is perhaps just a seasonal visitor or wanderer. Formerly considered to be a subspecies group of Green-bellied Hummingbird.

Male has dark slaty-gray head, neck, and upper breast; rest of the body is pale gray, with white on the belly. Wings darker than mantle. Female lacks the black hood, and has a whitish supercilium, brownish-gray upperparts with lightly barred back and rump, and buff-white underparts with wide brown bars. Juvenile is similar to female, but upperparts barred white. Immature similar to female. Song is a series of clear, loud whistles: “pee-pe-pe-pe-pe-twe-twee.” Some notes can be omitted, or additional notes added. 

Small, gregarious parakeet of the high Andes from central Argentina to Lake Titicaca. Tends to forage in small groups in shorter shrubs and bushes, including Polylepis. Often near roadsides, settlements and roadsides. Prefers hillsides, and is absent from most flat areas of the altiplano. From Mountain Parakeet by white throat, gray cap, and longer tail. Calls a quiet, three part “squi-da-dit” given quickly and often in flight.