Ultramarine Grosbeak

An accomplished songster found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes in northern and central Peru. Some birds are almost entirely brown with faint black barring on wings and tail. Other birds have a variable amount of white on the face and forehead. Plumage is very similar to Sharpe’s Wren, which overlaps with it in northern Peru but is found mainly at lower elevations. In the area of overlap, voice is the best way to separate the two species. Peruvian Wren is often encountered in large family groups that move together through the lower and middle levels of the forest. Pairs sing elaborate duets consisting of rich whistles and trills. They also give rapid, frantic rattles when agitated.

Small flycatcher with big eyes, prominent facial bristles, and a yellow spot on the crown, which is usually concealed. Note the yellow rump contrasting with a gray-brown back. The throat is whitish and the belly yellowish. Several different subspecies occur that vary in the strength of the tawny coloration on the breast. Occupies the lower and middle levels of humid forests where it usually accompanies mixed-species flocks. Not a very vocal species, but it has a “tsip” call, which can be mistaken for an insect.

A large bird of lowland and foothill forest in eastern New Guinea. The bill is fairly long, slightly curved and more feathered in the base than its sister species. Male is mainly black with a blue breast shield, bordered with a pale line below. Female and juveniles are brown above and pale below with dark barring. Almost identical to the more widespread Magnificent Riflebird but does not co-occur. Female similar to female Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise, but has a striped rather than black head. More often heard than seen. Voice, a growled “raahh! raooo!”.