Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant

Sharply dressed flowerpiercer with two disjunct populations: one found throughout much of Peru into northern Bolivia, the other isolated in northern Colombia. Looks mostly dark with black upperparts and chestnut belly. Note contrasting chestnut mustache stripe on otherwise black head, and silvery sides and shoulders. Found singly or in pairs, usually foraging in low scrubby vegetation at forest edge or in gardens. Often frequents relatively dry habitats that are not fully forested.

An unmistakable, spectacular large forest kingfisher with a big orange bill, a moss-green back, burnt-orange underparts, and a white throat. Head is bright azure-blue in north and central Sulawesi, but very dark blackish-blue in the south. Females show rufous facial markings that are absent in males. Juveniles are duller, with horn-colored bills. Found singly and in pairs in forest understory of lowlands and lower hills. Vocal around dawn, when it repeats drawn-out mournful whistles, “woooo-eEEE,” that get gradually louder. Also gives a distressed dry chatter.

Well-attired small songbird typically associated with mid- to high-elevation farms, fields, and open forests throughout its range. Found in less intensively developed areas than House and Eurasian Tree Sparrows, sticking to villages and pastures and staying away from large city centers. Male has bright chestnut cap and back, whitish cheek, narrow black throat, and pale gray belly. Female brownish with broad streaks above, pale below, with white wingbars and broad tan supercilium.