Opal-crowned Manakin

Handsome “finch” that is actually a tanager; found very locally on bogs and rocky slopes of the high Andes. Usually in pairs (sexes look similar) or small groups, feeding quietly on the ground and not associating with other seed-eating birds. Contrasting bright rusty back is diagnostic, but seen only from the front can look very similar to White-throated Sierra-Finch. Immature has duller rusty back with vague dark streaking.

Male has dark slaty-gray head, neck, and upper breast; rest of the body is pale gray, with white on the belly. Wings darker than mantle. Female lacks the black hood, and has a whitish supercilium, brownish-gray upperparts with lightly barred back and rump, and buff-white underparts with wide brown bars. Juvenile is similar to female, but upperparts barred white. Immature similar to female. Song is a series of clear, loud whistles: “pee-pe-pe-pe-pe-twe-twee.” Some notes can be omitted, or additional notes added. 

Not the only blue nuthatch, but the bluest nuthatch. Unmistakable, with a dark head, pale eyering, white throat and breast, and dark-lined pale blue feathers on the wings. Gives quick, sharp, nasal “tzwp” or “tzwit” notes. Clambers up and down tree trunks, often in small parties; frequent member of mixed-species foraging flocks. Favors montane and hilly forests.