Rufous-tailed Weaver

Common and often noisy and conspicuous little bird of temperate southern forests, also ranging locally into matorral with taller trees. Found in pairs or small groups, at times flocks of tens in the nonbreeding season. Moves actively through foliage from canopy to low in thickets, even on the ground in leaf litter. Thorn-tailed Rayaditos are the core species in mixed-species winter feeding flocks. Plumage distinctive, with thick golden eyebrow, whitish bib (bib buffy on Chiloé Island), striped wings, and “thorny-tipped” tail.

Small, warbler-like flycatcher found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador, northern Peru, and southern Colombia. Plumage is yellow-olive with a gray crown, yellowish wingbars, white eyebrow, and black stripe through the eye. Facial pattern is not well-defined, imparting a “messy” look. Also note thin, black bill. Forages actively in the forest canopy, frequently giving a dry, sputtering trill, and is almost always encountered with mixed-species flocks.

Breeding males are mostly black with a long tail. There is a large yellow-and-buff patch on the shoulder. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown, though males retain their colorful shoulder. Found locally in montane marsh, heath, and grassland. Vocalizations include low rasps and twittering and sizzling calls. Male separated from Marsh Widowbird by its more extensive buff shoulder patch. Female can be confused with several other species, but is usually identified by association with buff-shouldered males.