Caura Antbird

Widespread and often fairly common small dark grebe of lakes, ponds, wetlands; also river mouths and coastal waters, mainly in winter. Like all grebes dives well and can stay underwater for a long time. No similar species in range. Handsome breeding birds have a bold white “fan” on the sides of the head. Immature and nonbreeding birds have a dark cap and a streaked whitish face. Falkland population is larger and blacker, and is likely a different species.

Plump bird with long legs and a short tail that ranges in the eastern Andes of Colombia, barely reaching over the border into Venezuela. Plumage is chestnut brown with an orange tinge to the breast and slightly paler belly; sometimes shows a faint mustache streak. Skulks in the understory of high elevation elfin forest and usually stays on the ground, but sometimes comes up to a low perch to sing. Common vocalization is a sweet, rising whistle followed by a lower pitched gargle, and also gives a series of flat whistles. It used to be called Rufous Antpitta.

Although it is in a different family from the treecreepers, this species has typical creeper structure and behavior. The intricately spotted and barred plumage is gray-brown and white. Generally uncommon and local in a variety of moist woodland types, including miombo and Guinea savanna. Creeps its way up a tree, then flies down to start up another tree. The song is a quiet, high-pitched, up-and-down series of “seet” calls.