Opal-crowned Manakin

Small laughingthrush-like bird with a tiny range in far northeastern India. Look for a neat black cap, glowing yellow-orange broken “eyebrow,” and yellow-tinged wings. Appears to favor dense forest edge and degraded forest at 2060-2340 meters. Clambers about in lower levels of forest, typically in pairs or small groups, occasionally with otherwise uniform flocks of other species. Song is a series of mellow descending whistles, often with a slight rise at the end.

Fairly common in Argentine Patagonia, but local and scarce in southern Chile. Favors semiopen habitats, from shrub-steppe to farmland with hedges and shrubby patches. Often perches atop bushes and on roadside wires and posts. Runs well on the ground, usually with tail cocked; at times can be rather elusive, skulking in bushes. Identified by bold pale eyebrow, buffy-gray underparts, white wingbars, and white tail corners; compare with White-banded Mockingbird, which has much more white in wings and tail.

Striking flycatcher found in open marshes in northern South America. White body and face with mostly black upperparts. Bold white V on back, thicker on male. Sexes similar, females have browner back. Found singly or in pairs, usually perched close to the ground where they flit around searching for insects. No range overlap with other similar water-tyrants.