West African Seedeater

Striking tuxedoed babbler with a slightly downcurved banana-yellow bill and bright white eyebrows. A foothill and montane species of forest, forest edge, and dense scrubby growth. Clambers and bounces about along branches and in the undergrowth, typically in pairs or small flocks. Song variations include brief series of hooting calls, accelerating and jumbled in the second half. Calls include various rattles and hoots; often duets.

Small flycatcher found in dry and semi-humid forest in western Ecuador and western Peru. It is mostly gray with pale wingbars and a small crest. Some birds show a small amount of yellow on the belly. Prefers drier habitats than Eastern Wood-Pewee and Western Wood-Pewee, and only rarely found together with them. Tropical Pewee has shorter wings, a longer tail, and may show a faint spot between the eye and bill. Voice is very distinctive. Typical song in most of its range is a clear, whistled “pee, wee”; occasionally more notes are given. In the Marañón Valley it gives a different “chee-wit” or “chee-chee-widit”. Often encountered on an exposed branch, from which it makes regular sallies to hunt insects. It may return to the same perch repeatedly. Formerly considered a subspecies of Tropical Pewee.

Unusual and handsome forest-dwelling warbler. Males are mostly rufous, and females olive-gray, but both show a black face mask that continues down the center of the underparts. Skulks in the thick undergrowth of humid forest. The male sings a long series of high, penetrating whistles which can sound like a truck backing up. He is sometimes accompanied by low “trr” calls from the female.