Plum-faced Lorikeet

Small flycatcher, common and widespread from Costa Rica to Argentina. Plumage is nondescript (and quite variable across range), but note bushy crest, active behavior, short bill, and plain face. Singles, pairs, or small groups can be found in a variety of wooded habitats, from dry scrub to the edge of mature rainforest, but often prefers second growth. Voice varies across range, with different populations probably representing separate species. Northern birds give plaintive whistled “teew, teew, teew” notes. Southern birds can give much different descending sputtering trill in addition to plaintive whistles.

A small, slim wheatear. Males striking: black wings contrast with a yellowish back and crown and a black mask through the eye. Throat can be white or black. Females have a more muted version of the male’s overall pattern. The tail has a complicated black-and-white pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Found in open habitats with scattered trees, including savanna, rocky mountain slopes, and barren pastures. Very similar to Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, but usually distinguished by more extensive and warmer yellow wash on the head, back, and breast. Also similar to Pied Wheatear, but male’s black face patch is not connected to the black wing, and female is warmer and browner than the grayish female Pied. Call is a dry, hoarse “chercher.” Song is a short jumble of primarily descending trills and harsher notes.

Typical Accipiter hawk. Adult slaty gray above and finely barred with brownish orange below. Smaller and more compact-looking than Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Soaring adults can be distinguished from Chinese Sparrowhawk by the lack of dark wingtips and striped (instead of solidly pale) underwings. In all plumages, heavily marked underwing coverts distinguish this species from Chinese Sparrowhawk. Breeds in a variety of forested hill and lowland habitats; wintering birds can also be found in more open habitats, such as forest edge and fields.