Moorland Francolin

A relatively large, rust-colored crake with a pale bill and barred black-and-white underparts. Very shy and skulking in dense woodland, where it forages on the wet forest floor. Known to be most active at dawn and dusk. Its loud and screechy “chraaw-chraaw-chraaw-...” often gives away its presence in the vicinity.

Handsome large laughingthrush with a dark cap and throat. Wings and tail are coffee-colored with blue-gray highlights along the edges. Black-and-white spotting on the upper body is densest on the back and breast. Combination of dark throat and cap is unique. Moves in pairs and small flocks through the undergrowth in open forest and scrubby areas at high altitude. Listen for its often piercingly loud, somewhat disjointed-sounding whistles coming from dense bamboo or rhododendron groves.

Very small owl of desert and western foothills of the Andes; no other pygmy-owl in its range. Overall plumage tones vary from brown to gray-brown, rarely rusty brown. Often active in daytime. Fairly common but easily overlooked, although persistent tooting song and presence of mobbing small birds can draw attention. Found in woodlands, hedges with taller trees, gardens, and locally in more open country. Ranges low to high, from canopy of tallest trees to low in thickets; sometimes perches on roadside wires.