Dull-blue Flycatcher

Medium-sized antpitta. Typical antpitta shape: plump and short-tailed with long legs, like a grapefruit on stilts. Plain brownish overall; darker olive above and tawny below with a white eyering. Uncommon in the foothills and lower subtropics from Venezuela to Peru. Occurs on the ground in wet montane forest from around 700–1,800 m. Exceptionally difficult to see. Listen for its song: a fairly slow series of hollow whistles that gets stronger in the middle and then trails off.

With its long, slightly decurved bill, flashy black-and-white wings, and ground-loving behavior, this bird is far from a typical jay. Sandy brown overall with a black crown and a thin dark line behind the eye. Clean pale face, less extensive white in the wing, and lack of white on the rump distinguish it from similar-looking Xinjiang Ground-Jay. Inhabits open, dry steppeland and high-altitude semi-desert, where it forages on the ground but often perches up on exposed boulders or snags.

Small quail of dry habitats in interior valleys as well as grasslands. Favors brushy fields, thorn scrub with grassy areas, and drier grassy plains. Often seen along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Usually in small groups, which flush explosively with a loud whirring of wings. Some variation in plumage, but note strongly spotted underparts and contrasting pale or buffy throat. Frequently found by hearing its loud whistled bob-WHITE! call.