Mishmi Wren-Babbler

Small antbird of rainforest canopy; somewhat more common in forests with sandy soils. From below, note clean white underparts and heavy bill. Usually encountered with mixed-species flocks. Forages slowly along limbs and explores leaf clusters. Very similar to Todd’s Antwren and most safely separated from that species by voice. Song is an accelerating “bouncing ball” series, similar to Pygmy Antwren but with a harder quality and not falling in pitch at the end.

A dumpy dark brown chat with an upright posture. It flies fast on short round wings, exposing bold white patches in the outer webs of the primary feathers that are diagnostic. Pairs and small groups occupy open grassy country, especially near dense collections of termite mounds. It sits on fences, rocks, or other perches and drops to the ground to pursue ants, termites, and other invertebrates to feed on. The song is a varied collection of whistles, clucks, and grating notes, including imitations of other species, while the call is a characteristic one-note high-pitched plaintive “peek.” No similar chats occur in the same range; the white wing patches of Southern Anteater-Chat are highly distinctive.

Tiny, highly endangered hummingbird found very locally in the desert of northern Chile. Favors native desert scrub in lowland valleys, but widely eliminated from most areas by intensive agriculture. Male most often detected by insectlike buzz made by wings in flight. Also perches conspicuously atop bushes and on wires; note diagnostic crossed tail feathers. Female similar to Peruvian Sheartail, but has shorter tail with pale rusty bases to outer feathers (hard to see).