Southern Scrub-Flycatcher

This nondescript flycatcher is most often detected by its call, a piercing two-parted “pee-sweet!” Visually it’s not overwhelming: yellowish underparts, olive upperparts, pale yellowish wingbars, and a gray head with a vague white eyebrow and black eyeline. Fairly small and similar to other species of elaenia and flycatchers; voice is most useful feature for identification. Usually seen singly in the canopy of lowland forest, often following mixed-species flocks. Widespread from Panama to Brazil.

Active little bird found in wide variety of scrubby, brushy, and lightly wooded habitats from lowlands to the high Andes. Often in pairs, hopping in bushes and brush with tail often held cocked; can be difficult to see well as it constantly flits about. Best identified by small size, recurved “devil horn” crest, and staring pale eyes; breast streaking finer and less striking than on Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, which has limited range overlap with Tufted Tit-Tyrant.

A small rock-thrush with blue-gray upperparts and hood and an orange belly. The tail has a black-and-orange “T” pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Males and females vary slightly: males are cleaner blue-gray above, while females are more brownish. Found locally in a variety of habitats with a mix of rocks, trees, and bushes. Sometimes also on and around human structures. Similar to redstarts, but easily distinguished by the clean gray hood and the lack of black on the face. Also similar to male Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, but smaller, lacking white on the back, and with a more extensive gray hood. The quiet song consists of musical phrases that can be short or quite long.