Nyanza Swift

A small brown-and-white woodpecker with scattered pale bars and spots on the upperparts and dark-streaked white underparts. Male possess a red nape patch that is absent in females. Juvenile is drabber, with weaker barring and streaking. Singles or pairs can be found in any areas with trees, frequenting canopy and subcanopy in lowlands and mountains. Often accompanies mixed flocks. The only small woodpecker within its limited range. Barred upperparts also distinctive. Calls include a descending, metallic trill and soft, well-spaced “kip” notes. Also drums.

Medium-sized dove with spotted wings, a distinctive striped neck patch and a bold white tip to the rounded tail. Found in wooded and semiopen habitats, especially farmland and heath with hedges and scattered trees. Usually rather shy; seen mainly in flight, but at times perched on utility wires. Feeds on ground, where it may associate with other pigeons. Appreciably smaller and slimmer than much commoner and overall paler Eurasian Collared-Dove. Extremely similar in plumage to Oriental Turtle-Dove, but has less extensive dark centers to the wing feathers and averages pinker on the breast.

A small bird that is warm brown above and gray below. Completely unstreaked unlike a canastero. Also note indistinct whitish eyering and short gray eyebrow. Namesake “thistle” tail refers to the long, thin, and pointed tail feathers. Occurs in the Andes from Colombia to central Peru from around 2,800 to 3,500 m. Look for singles or pairs skulking in shrubby areas or stunted woodlands near treeline, not often coming out in the open. Compare with Mouse-colored Thistletail, which is duller brown above and shows a less distinct eyebrow.