Xingu Scale-backed Antbird

Handsome spinetail of grassy areas in lowlands and foothills. Gray with chestnut crown and shoulders. Black throat spot is bordered by a white “V”. Skulks in overgrown pastures, tangled clearings, and dense scrub on young river islands, but avoids forest. Usually hard to see unless it is actively defending its territory. Song is a sharp “pik” immediately followed by a quick, rattling trill.

Small, short-billed, warbler-like sunbird. The distinctive male has a blue bib. The female is drab but can be identified by its small pale eyebrow, greenish back, and overall size and shape. Found in forest at low elevation, mostly close to the coast. Often in forest understory; less conspicuous than a typical sunbird. Most distinctive vocalization is a rapidly repeated “tchew”. Shape, size, and olive-green back separate Plain-backed from other sunbirds.

Fairly small antshrike. Males are dark gray with a black throat. Females are tinged brown above and tawny below with a contrasting whitish throat. Found in the understory of lowland humid forest. Often leads mixed-species flocks; occasionally attends army-ant swarms. Sings a series of gradually ascending notes that ends with a harsh final note. Similar to Cinereous Antshrike, which can occur in the same flocks, but differs in throat color and in song.