Black-throated Shrike-Tanager

A tiny, bright green parrot found throughout much of the Amazon basin. Dusky-billed has darker green plumage and a dark upper bill compared to the very similar Blue-winged Parrotlet. Dusky-billed is also less likely to be found around clearings than Blue-winged. Often first noticed by the incessant high-pitched, buzzy calls given by flocks, not as high-pitched and piercing as the calls of Blue-winged.

Fairly distinctive for a pipit: blackish-brown above, including the wings, with bright golden feather edgings giving it a boldly streaked appearance. The chest and flanks are buff and lightly streaked. Look for the buffy-yellow eyebrow. Mostly encountered in well-preserved natural grasslands, favoring short grass areas that have regenerated after fires. Gives a series of sharp twittering notes ending with a slurred “eeeeeeeur.”

This species occurs from western Venezuela to extreme northern Peru. It is fairly common in high elevation grasslands or open shrubby areas with patches of bare ground. Look for a medium-sized, chunky brown bird with a bold whitish eyebrow and throat. In flight, shows an obvious buffy wing stripe. Singles or pairs forage in the open and are often quite approachable. Compare with Stout-billed Cinclodes, which as you may have deduced from the name has a notably stouter (and more curved) bill. Chestnut-winged was formerly a member of the Bar-winged Cinclodes complex, which has since been split into three species.