Brown-headed Apalis

Large, powerful falcon. Inhabits a range of expansive habitats, from grasslands and mountainsides to open woodlands. Somewhat variable, but always dark "trousers" when perched; the tail extends beyond the wingtips at rest, giving it a “short-winged” appearance. Some birds can appear pale-headed due to light-colored crowns and sparsely-marked faces. In flight, the wings are broad, with dark underwing coverts. Adults have a thin “teardrop” eyeline, whereas juveniles have a thicker one. Compare to similar Gyrfalcon and Peregrine Falcon; note “trouser” color and consistently brown upperparts. Feeds on small mammals and birds.

Rather plain but “gentle-faced” and attractive, this small terrestrial flycatcher breeds locally in the high Andes, with southern populations migrating north in winter. Favors rocky slopes, valleys, and adjacent bogs, where it mixes readily with other ground-tyrant species. Head and back plain blue-gray with a short weak whitish eyebrow, no colored cap markings, and an “average” straight bill (droop-tipped on Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant). Also note no strong contrast between gray back and wings.

Small cisticola that is pale and buffy below, and dark on the back. The crown, back of the neck, and back are heavily streaked. Note specific habitat preferences, which can help with identification: found in seepage zones of seasonally wet grasslands, alongside but in wetter situations than Wing-snapping Cisticolas, but avoiding the seasonally flooded habitat of Pale-crowned Cisticola. Very similar to Wing-snapping and Pale-crowned Cisticolas, but longer-tailed than both, and further distinguished from Pale-crowned in breeding plumage by the streaked crown. Also similar to Zitting and Desert Cisticolas, but has a different voice, and is darker on the back. Song consists of nasal notes, given from a low perch (termite mound or grass stem) or occasional brief display flight at grass top height. In contrast to other small cisticolas, it does not have a true aerial display flight.