Red-and-white Antpitta

Uncommon and local in Patagonia, where it favors stony lakeshores; also adjacent coastlines, mainly in winter. Easily overlooked; its mostly gray plumage helps it blend in. Usually in pairs or small groups, feeding mainly along shorelines or wading in shallows; sometimes associates loosely with migrant White-rumped and Baird’s Sandpipers. Stocky shape, plain dove-gray upperparts, and bright pinkish legs are a distinctive combination. In flight shows a white wing stripe, like many other shorebirds. Placed in its own family; more closely related to sheathbills than to plovers.

Tiny songbird of mountain and hill forests; ranges from the Himalayas south to the Malay Peninsula on the Asian mainland, with an isolated population in Taiwan’s highlands. Adult male is dark blue above and pale creamy white below, with a black stripe leading down the belly from a brilliantly red patch like a bloodstain on the breast. Female is much plainer, brownish-olive above and off-white below; lacks the bright white throat of Plain and female Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers. Often forages at flowers blooming in the canopy. Gives a high, thin, up-and-down “tsee’ip, tsee’ip, tsee’ip” and a rising series of ticks (often ending with more metallic notes); calls include dry tick notes and high, thin “tseet”s.

A sleek forest bird that sometimes ventures into gardens and parks in search of flowers and fruit; prefers areas with palms. The adult is dressed in black except for its yellow rump and shoulders. No similar species occur within its range. Immatures are largely yellow-green with a tattered black beard and somewhat resemble immature male Orchard Orioles, but the Orchard Oriole is smaller and lacks the Cuban Oriole’s yellow shoulders. Calls include a whistled “tsee-tsoo” and “pit-see-ee-oo,” plus a loud squeaky “spwit.” Full song is fluid series of whistled upslurred and down-slurred notes.