Patagonian Canastero

Rather nondescript manakin that may resemble a flycatcher. Mostly olive green, but notable features include a yellow crown and paler chin. Found at the edge of humid forest and in second growth often in areas with bamboo; avoids the forest interior. The song is series of sharp notes followed by longer ones “chip, chip, dree-zee-zee, zéw.”

Bright and colorful male is difficult to miss: bright grayish blue with yellow or orange underparts (depending on subspecies) and a small orange splotch on the back. Female is comparatively dull, but her yellow-suffused underparts and rump are still quite distinctive. Like other flowerpeckers, forages actively, often hovering in front of blossoms or while gleaning from foliage. Inhabits forested edges (less common in dense forest) from lowlands up to foothills; often quite close to human habitation. Gives a variety of buzzy or sharp notes.

Small, sprightly shorebird. Breeding plumage shows rusty tones on upperparts, often with a frosty appearance when fresh. By mid-summer, the frosty feather tips fade away and the neck can be deep, rich red—not to be confused with the much smaller Red-necked Stint! Very pale in winter. Juveniles are nearly spangled with black-and-white above. At all seasons, note larger size and somewhat thicker bill than other peeps or stints, along with bold white wing stripe in flight. Flocks are usually seen on open beaches, well known for running back-and-forth chasing waves and feeding actively in the sand. Also occurs on mudflats, especially in migration. Extensive global range, breeding on high Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines on every continent except Antarctica.