Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant
Muscisaxicola frontalis
Breeds locally in the high Andes of central Chile and adjacent Argentina; migrates north in winter. Favors bleak rocky and stony slopes, adjacent bogs, and lakeshores; often in same areas as other ground-tyrant species. Subtly distinctive with rather ashy gray plumage, droop-tipped bill, and black “mohawk” head pattern. Often looks more pot-bellied than other sleeker ground-tyrants.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Muscisaxicola frontalis
- Authority
- (Burmeister, 1860)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Muscisaxicola
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Bornean Spiderhunter
Arachnothera everetti
Medium-sized spiderhunter with an olive back and streaked gray underparts. Inhabits lowland and submontane forests and forest edges, where it feeds primarily on nectar in the understory; favors blossoms of banana and ginger. Very similar in appearance to Gray-breasted Spiderhunter; range overlap is poorly understood but appears to be minimal. Look for Bornean’s more intensely streaked underparts and slightly larger size. Long-billed Spiderhunter can show some streaking on the breast but is much larger and longer-billed, with yellowish underparts. Sometimes noisy, giving loud raspy nasal calls.

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Sitta nagaensis
Typical nuthatch; small bird with a wedge-shaped head, usually seen clambering around on trees. Gray above and white below, with a thin black line extending from the bill base to the shoulder. Deep rust red on the flanks and red-edged scaling under the tail serve to distinguish this otherwise plain species from similar nuthatches. Active and social, often following mixed flocks. Inhabits both broadleaf and coniferous forests in foothill and submontane areas. Listen for its song, a loud ringing series of trills. Calls include nasal caws, a bright-sounding “pewpewpew,” and high-pitched chittering.

Barred Puffbird
Nystalus radiatus
An unobtrusive bird with an oversized head and bill. Look for tiger-striped pattern—warm cinnamon-brown overall with uneven black barring. Also note slightly darker cap and staring pale eye. Uncommon; found around forest edge and secondary woodland in the lowlands from Panama to western Ecuador. Perches still for long periods of time, often on an exposed perch. Frequently detected by distinctive wolf-whistling calls.
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