Streak-breasted Honeyeater

A medium-sized iridescent blue-green glossy starling with a dark ear-patch and contrasting royal blue to violet flanks and belly. Pairs and small groups occupy savanna, where they feed on the ground and in trees on fruit and insects; occasionally up to 300 may gather at fruiting trees. Often the species scavenges from people. It gives a cat-like nasal “squuee-aar” contact call that is distinctive. The similar Lesser Blue-eared Starling differs from Greater Blue-eared Starling by being smaller with a more compact head and finer bill, by having a smaller ear-patch, and by preferring broadleaf woodland. The Cape Starling differs from the “blue-eared” starlings by having greener ear-patches, belly, and flanks.

Large flycatcher of Andean cloud forest, usually seen perched high in the trees. Yellow underparts, dark face, and white head stripes are rather kiskadee-like, but Golden-crowned Flycatcher can be distinguished by its white moustache stripe, lack of white throat, and faint streaking on breast. It is also mainly found at higher elevations. Vocalizations include sharp “de-wit” and “chew-di-wit” calls that are repeated every few seconds. Due to a taxonomical revision, this species only includes birds found south of the Marañón River in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Birds north of there are now included with Golden-bellied Flycatcher.

Small gray crane of open expansive habitats. Adult is an elegantly smooth shade of gray with a black neck, fiery eyes, and pure white plumes extending out from behind the eyes. Juvenile is similar but paler overall and with shorter plumes. Dark wingtips, prominent while the bird is in flight, may cause confusion with Gray Heron, but note overall shape and straight-necked flying posture (heron typically tucks neck in). Small size distinguishes this species from other cranes. Inhabits fields, deserts, steppes, and plains with water in general vicinity. May visit drier habitat in winter. Migrates in large, vocal flocks.