Amazonian Motmot

A small uncrested owl with a round head and a short tail. It is grayish-brown overall with white spots above while its underparts are white with brown bars. Note the distinctive white eyebrows and neck-band. Often active at dawn and dusk when it utters a loud “chirurr-chirurr-chirurr” laugh in addition to a variety of high-pitched squeals and whistles. Inhabits all kinds of open habitats but avoids dense forest and wetter regions.

Small flycatcher. Adult male is splendidly colored with a glowing orange supercilium, throat, and breast set against black upperparts, white underparts, and a white wing patch. Female is duller, with mouse-brown upperparts, tan chest, white belly, and narrow pale eyering; compare with more brightly-colored female Yellow-rumped Flycatcher. Song is beautiful and thrush-like, usually a trio or quartet of short, ringing notes. Breeds in well-shaded broadleaf and mixed forests; can be found in a wider range of wooded habitats on passage and in winter.

A plain brown bird with a pale eyering and rusty-brown tail, best known for its rich, powerful song which can keep people awake when given at night. In areas of overlap, compare with extremely similar Thrush Nightingale; note present species’ unmarked pale underparts, often with a variable buffy wash, as well as its warmer-toned back and brighter rufous tail. Song is extremely variable, and can include whistles, trills, rattles, and warbled phrases; elements often repeated. Calls include a very difficult-to-locate “teek”, low rattles, and harsh rasping calls. Found in varied wooded and scrubby habitats, typically with shady understory. Winters in similarly varied tangled habitats. Typically rather shy and elusive.