Brown-breasted Kingfisher
Halcyon gularis
A fairly large kingfisher of lowland and foothill open country and forest edge. Chocolate brown on the underparts and hood, down to the upper back. Back, tail, and wings bright blue, with large black shoulder patches, small black wingtips, a white throat, and a bright red bill and legs. Somewhat similar to Stork-billed Kingfisher, but Brown-breasted has chocolate brown rather than orange underparts. Song is a rapid, descending series of a dozen or so sharp notes, trailing off in volume.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Halcyon gularis
- Authority
- (Kuhl, 1820)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Halcyon
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Fairly small, stocky shorebird with short, chisel-like bill. Breeding plumage is particular striking with bright rusty upperparts and bold black-and-white pattern on head and neck. Nonbreeding and juvenile are duller brown but still boldly patterned; note orange legs. Interesting behavior of flipping over rocks, shells, and other debris to nab invertebrates. Fairly common, with extensive global range. Breeds in the high Arctic tundra; winters on coastlines nearly worldwide. Prefers rocky habitats, but also seen on beaches and mudflats. Usually in small flocks, often mixed with other shorebirds. Listen for low, hard rattle call.

Singing Bushlark
Mirafra javanica
A small, stocky, pale brown bird with a fairly heavy bill. Unlike other bushlarks, breast streaking is minimal and often only restricted to the sides of the breast, while the wings are not as rust-colored. The pale eyebrow is well marked and typically extends neatly down around the cheeks. There is subtle though considerable geographic variation over the huge range. The overall coloration can vary from dark gray-brown to rich rufous-brown to pale sandy, and the amount and clarity of streaking on the breast also varies. Found in dry, open plains, agricultural areas, open shrubland, and grassland. The song is varied and complex, and includes whistles, trills, buzzes, metallic notes, and sometimes imitations of other bird species. The song can be given from a perch or on the wing. Forages on the ground, where it can be hard to detect until very close; gives a loud chip as it flushes. Similar to Indian Bushlark, but Singing Bushlark has a white outermost tail feather, appears drabber overall, and looks chunkier. Larger-billed but smaller overall than Eurasian and Oriental Skylarks, and averages more darkly streaked on the back.

Grass Wren
Cistothorus platensis
Tiny, bubbly, buffy-colored wren of dense grassy or shrubby habitats. Fairly common but locally distributed from central Mexico to the southernmost tip of South America; surely comprises multiple species. Occurs from open grasslands and marshes at sea level up to paramo in the high Andes. Generally secretive, but perches up when singing. Generally pale brownish with complex patterning on upperparts; compare with much plainer House Wren. Variable voice, usually including harsh chips, buzzes, and trills.
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