Crested Goshawk

Small greenish woodpecker of the dry and semi-humid forests at the base of the Andes in NW Argentina and southern Bolivia. Male has a red cap, while the female’s head is grayish with pale spots. Distinguished from the very similar Little woodpecker by Dot-fronted’s pale auriculars and pale spots on forehead. Also tends to be less vocal and less gregarious than Little Woodpecker. Calls a quick, full “squit!” given individually or strung together in quick repetition.

A small, brown bird of rainforest canopy. Note upturned mandible, white whisker mark, and pale streaking on underparts and back. Follows mixed-species flocks in the canopy but is rarely encountered. Bores into dead twigs and vines for insects, and may climb briefly on larger branches to probe bark crevices. Song is 4–6 high notes, dropping slightly in pitch at end; delivered forcefully but with a thin quality and thus easily overlooked. In central and western Amazonia, compare with very similar Streaked Xenops, from which it is best separated by Slender-billed’s slower song. Readily distinguished from Rufous-tailed Xenops by prominent white whisker streak.

Active, often noisy warbler found at lower to middle levels of montane cloud forest. Note the olive upperparts and dark and pale pattern on head. Underpart color and extent of cheek patch vary through its range. Dark stripes on head usually contrast with back, and eyebrow is white, not yellow – these two features help to separate it from other similar warblers in range. Usually seen in pairs or family groups. Typical song begins as a rising trill and then morphs into chaotic chattering.