Plain-backed Antpitta

A mid-sized owlet-nightjar of lower montane forests. Strongly barred back and chest with a brown base, whitish belly and a pale collar. A large, fluffy-headed appearance. Often seen with its head sticking out of a tree cavity. The similar Wallace’s and Mountain Owlet-Nightjars may co-occur but Vogelkop Owlet-Nightjar has only barring on the chest and lacks the small white streaks, or flecks on the back. Vocalizations unknown.

Plump, short-tailed bird of Amazonian rainforest. Both sexes have a chestnut breast. Male has a black face and throat and a bright white tuft behind the eye. Female lacks black in her plumage, and instead of a tuft she has a pale line through her face. Female is similar to female Ash-throated Gnateater but has plain, unmarked wings. Birds in central Brazil south of the Amazon are now considered a separate species, Black-breasted Gnateater; male Chestnut-belted has less black extending only to upper breast; female looks almost identical. Usually seen on a low perch in the understory and may resemble a small antpitta. Vocalizations include a rattling, metallic trill and a short, soft “chuff”.

Uncommon swallow in montane forest in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. Similar to the more common Blue-and-white Swallow, but look for the buffy throat and browner flanks on Pale-footed Swallow. Found in flocks, usually not far from forest. Not frequently found around human settlements unlike Blue-and-white Swallow. Occurs from around 2,400–3,200 m.