White-thighed Swallow

A small, pale-bellied sunbird. The male has iridescent blue-green upperparts and head, with a bold white belly and broad purplish breast band. The female is very clean, gray-brown above and pale gray underneath, without any markings. Singles, pairs, and small groups occupy savanna, broadleaf woodland, and parkland, foraging for insects and nectar. The song is a canary-like warble and the call is a strained, 2-5 note “cheet-cheet….” Oustalet’s Sunbird differs by having a shorter bill and darker throat, a broader maroon breast band, a blue (not green) upper tail, and orange (not yellow) pectoral tufts.

Very large and rather plain owl with small dark eyes and no ear tufts. Note bright yellow bill, extensive streaking on the breast and back, and broad-banded wing feathers. Ranges from very pale gray to dark brown. Active at night, when often hunts at forest edge and around clearings in northern coniferous and mixed forests. Pairs duet; males give deep, resonating hoots and females give higher, hoarser notes. Larger and longer-tailed than Tawny Owl, which occurs mainly in milder and more southern habitats. Great Gray Owl appears longer-bodied, is more mottled, and has beady yellow eyes.

Distinctive, but rather local and uncommon in Chile (more common in Argentina and elsewhere) in grassy wetlands, reedy marshes, and on lakes. Associates with other waterfowl, but usually is not out on open water and is easily overlooked. Readily identified by small size, dark cap, pale cheeks, and blue bill with yellow patch at base. Range does not overlap with the larger and more boldly patterned Puna Teal.