Chiguanco Thrush

Medium-sized antpitta with limited range in dry woodlands in southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru. Fairly common and unmistakable within range and habitat. Typical antpitta shape: plump and short-tailed with long legs, like a grapefruit on stilts. Brown above with bold streaking on underparts, messy-looking face, and a tawny crown. Looks like a washed-out version of Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, which occurs at higher elevations (and typically in wetter forests). Voice is distinctive: a descending series of rich whistles ending with a longer rising note. Usually secretive, but can be detected as it noisily hops through dry leaf litter.

Attractive small “finch” that is actually a tanager of the high Andes; found in villages, agricultural terraces, scrubby slopes, and bogs. Associates readily with other small seed-eating birds and in some places is tame and acclimated, begging for food at picnic sites. Handsome male is striking and distinctive with a golden back and plain dark wings (compare with smaller siskins). Female and immature are duller, but dark slaty hood and golden tones to back are distinctive. Compare with Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch to south and Peruvian Sierra-Finch to north.

A Collared-type kingfisher found on a broad band of islands northeast of New Guinea, ranging from the Bismarck Archipelago east to Guadalcanal in the Solomons. Varies across range; note blue-green upperparts, pale collar, slender dark mask, and bicolored bill. Compare with Sacred Kingfisher; Melanesian averages darker and bluer above. Inhabits a range of island habitats, often in coastal regions but also well inland, especially in areas without other kingfishers. Listen for loud, harsh, far-carrying calls.