White-vented Shama

A long- and stiff-tailed bird with primarily rusty-brown upperparts and dull orangish underparts. The head, mantle, and neck region are a dull, sooty black. The long graduated tail is pale gray with a wide black terminal band. Note the conspicuous silvery-gray, white, and black patterns on the wings. The blackish-gray bill is stout with a hooked tip. Found in a wide range of habitats from woodlands to scrubby patches, singly or in pairs feeding in the treetops. The call is a loud metallic “krowwiiii kroo.”

Rare finch restricted to arid lowlands and foothills of western Ecuador and far northwestern Peru. Plumage is golden with black wings marked with yellow stripes; male has a dark hood. May overlap with the very similar Hooded Siskin in the foothills of the Andes, and birds seen in this region are not always identifiable. Saffron Siskin is slightly brighter on average, and male’s back is cleaner, lacking dusky markings. Usually seen in small flocks that feed mainly on seeds in trees, bushes, and tall grass.

A flashing vision in midnight black and daffodil-yellow with a deeply forked tail. Male averages darker than the female with a solid black back and dark streaking on the breast. Female has a patchier back and thinner streaks than the male. Both sexes have a dark head, a thin yellow collar, and bright wing panels. Inhabits foothills and mountainous pine forests and adjacent edges. Favors the Khasi pine where it can be found foraging in small flocks. Gives dry twitters and a typical finchlike wheezy upswept note. Song is usually a series of dry, “ticking” trills followed by an upswept note.