Beautiful Sibia

Scarce and local in open and semiopen habitats of the high Andes, where it usually greatly outnumbered by similar Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant. Both species have mostly white tail (obvious in flight) and are best separated by bill size: White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant has a stout bill that is pale below compared with the slender, dark bill of Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant. These species can occur side-by-side and have similar habits, perching on prominent lookouts but then disappearing easily; both run well on the ground and often fly long distances.

Small screech-owl with a scattered distribution in the Andes. It inhabits cloud forest in southeastern Ecuador and northern Peru, as well as a few locations in Colombia and Venezuela. Most birds have bright cinnamon-buff plumage, but some are brown and tan. Distinguished from the similar Rufescent Screech-Owl by the lack of any white marks on the shoulders, and by voice. Song is a fast, rising and falling series of soft “pu” notes. The speed at which the notes are given is quite variable.

Medium-sized hawk with long tail and thin wings. Flies with wings held in a V-shape, low over open fields and marshes, listening for rodents lurking below. Distinctive foraging behavior and conspicuous white patch on rump in all plumages. Females and immatures are warm brown. Adult males gray above and whitish below with black wingtips.