White-headed Vanga

Handsome brushfinch found in humid forest along the east slope of the Andes in Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and far southeastern Peru. It has an olive back, black mask, striped head, and white throat. In the northern part of its range it also has a black breast-band. Similar to Gray-browed Brushfinch, but has white (not gray) eyebrow; also note range. Inhabits thickets in forest understory. Typical song is a seesawing series of three to four high-pitched whistles.

Chunky green bird with a broad, blunt bill. Males have a bright orange bill, a blackish face, a yellow-orange necklace that bleeds into the breast, and a yellow lower belly; females are nearly entirely green with faint streaking below and a dull orange bill. Notice the females’ dull olive legs and streaked, not scaled pattern underneath, which distinguish it from the similar, orange-legged female Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater. Perches inconspicuously in the mid-story of humid montane forest, where it is often found around fruiting trees and occasionally joins mixed-species flocks.

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Rock Firefinches. Breeding males are black with green iridescence and a pale brownish panel in the wings. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is whitish and the legs pale purple. A scarce, local, and poorly known species. Found in rocky areas within savanna. Given current knowledge, can only be confidently identified by vocalizations. Imitates the vocalizations of its host, Rock Firefinch, including soft “teew” whistles, a descending trill, “tep” notes, and “pit-pit-pit” calls. These are often mixed into a scratchy jumble of high-pitched notes.