Fiji Streaked Fantail

A small, brown bird of rainforest canopy. Note upturned mandible, white whisker mark, and pale streaking on underparts and back. Follows mixed-species flocks in the canopy but is rarely encountered. Bores into dead twigs and vines for insects, and may climb briefly on larger branches to probe bark crevices. Song is 4–6 high notes, dropping slightly in pitch at end; delivered forcefully but with a thin quality and thus easily overlooked. In central and western Amazonia, compare with very similar Streaked Xenops, from which it is best separated by Slender-billed’s slower song. Readily distinguished from Rufous-tailed Xenops by prominent white whisker streak.

Similar in size and shape to House Sparrow. Breeding season males have a heavily streaked black breast and back and a rufous crown and nape. Males are duller in the nonbreeding season. Females are very difficult to separate from female House Sparrows but tend to have bigger bills and paler bellies. Colonial, builds huge stick nests, often in/under White Stork nests.

Tiny, sparrow-sized parrot of lowlands and foothills in western Ecuador, western Peru, and far southwestern Colombia. Most common in dry habitats such as desert and deciduous forest, but has spread into humid areas in response to deforestation. Green with blue patch behind eye; male also has blue in wings and on rump, but these features can be hidden by folded wings. Typically found in small flocks that give high-pitched, metallic chirps and chatters.