Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

Large, boisterous, striking tanager unlikely to be mistaken. Mostly dark blackish, but look for satin-red throat and iridescent steely-bluish wings. Most distinctive is the namesake white cap that shines like sunlit snow. Sexes similar; females and immatures have slightly duller throat. Never common; found in small flocks that move quickly through the canopy of the subtropical and temperate zones in the Andes, sometimes perching conspicuously. Behavior and voice recall a jay and they sound quite similar especially at a distance. Sometimes travels with flocks of Turquoise Jays.

A delicate-looking long-tailed shrike with striking black-and-white plumage. The male has a rich rusty breast and sides. Female like male but duller, with juvenile grayer and more barred on the upperparts and sides. Often pumps long tail. Forages mainly on arthropods, which it locates from prominent perches. Breeds in a range of wooded habitats, from Mediterranean scrub to open forests and overgrown orchards. During migration, can be seen in various habitats, including gardens and arid zones. Often favors more densely vegetated habitats than other shrikes. Gives a dry “tchrtchrtchr.”

Lovely small flycatcher, formerly considered a subspecies of more widely distributed Narcissus Flycatcher. Both sexes are very similar to Narcissus Flycatcher; male averages less black on the crown and back, has a greenish tinge to the upperparts, and lacks Narcissus’s extensive bright orange tones in the throat and brow. Female is extremely similar to female Narcissus, and may be inseparable in many cases; some have a very slight greenish tinge to the upperparts, compared with the warmer brown backs of Narcissus. Young males are similar to females, but with occasional hints of brighter yellowish coloration on the underparts. Endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, but has been known to stray to the East Asian mainland. Inhabits well-shaded hill forests. Song is a bright, whistled series of notes “wee-ti! Wee-dee-di, wee-ti!” Calls include a dry chatter and a low “chuk” note.