Marquesan Swiftlet

Small pipit with a dark brown back and heavily streaked breast. The tail is short and edged in white; this is conspicuous in flight. Found in short grassland, including recently burned areas. Uncommon to rare throughout its range and far less conspicuous than other pipits; most often seen when flushed. The song is an alternating series of slurred notes, given in flight. Call is a quiet “sveet”. Similar to Bush Pipit, but darker, more heavily streaked below, and with a shorter tail.

Small tanager found in Andean subtropical zone from Venezuela to Bolivia. Mostly bluish-green with darker wings and streaked back. Head is mostly bright yellow or orange with small black mask, throat, and nape. Buffy undertail coverts and vent only visible at some angles. Sexes alike. A fairly common member of mixed flocks from around 1,200–2,400 m, in cloud forest and edges.

This small mouse-like undergrowth inhabitant can be difficult to spot in the tangled, well-shaded montane forest ravines, gullies, and streams it favors. Listen for its song, a series of high, distinct piping whistles: “hi-hee-hu-huh-hi” or variants thereof. Can be quite inquisitive, allowing close approach; look for a small chunky brown bird with elegant pale eyebrows, an overall brown body with strong streaking, and a contrasting pale throat. Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler overlaps marginally in range but averages lower in elevational preference; it also has white spots on the wings and a different song.