Bradfield's Hornbill

Unique and spectacular hummingbird of the upper humid montane forest in Bolivia. Plumage mostly black, with striking white feathers on breast and a shining blue rump. Occurs to, and sometimes just above, treeline on the east side of the Andes from western Santa Cruz department to La Paz. The only black hummingbird in its range. This species is generally patchily distributed, but can be locally common, especially where flowers are abundant.

Unique, chunky finch. Note the massive bill (steely gray in summer, pinkish in winter) and blue-gray hindneck, like a shawl on an orangey head. Broad white tail tip and white wing band show mainly in flight. Despite distinctive appearance, shy and easily overlooked. Favors mixed and deciduous mature woodland, especially with beech, oak, and hornbeam, where tends to feed and perch quietly, high in the canopy. Also feeds on the ground in autumn and winter, sometimes forming single-species flocks. Gives high-pitched “tsik!” and lower ticking calls.

Very small, finchlike bird of grassy and weedy areas in tropical lowlands, especially in marshy areas. Often in flocks, mixing readily with slightly larger White-collared Seedeater. Breeding male (only in spring–summer) is striking: slaty bluish above and rusty below with a rusty rump. Nonbreeding male, female, and immature are much plainer: buffy brown overall, paler below, with distinct paler wing edgings (unlike plain-winged White-collared Seedeaters in west Mexico), and distinct orangey tones to the bill (bill dusky on White-collared).