Chocolate-backed Kingfisher

Small becard occurring from southwest Colombia to northwest Peru, mainly on the west slope of the Andes and in the Marañon drainage, but (perhaps seasonally?) on the east slope of the Andes as well. Mostly found in foothills, in middle to upper levels of humid montane forest, dry forest, and more open second-growth. Male is mostly gray with bold white edges on the wing feathers and a black cap with pale spectacles. Compare with White-winged Becard, which has a black back and dark lores. Female is very different; look for her brown cap bordered with black, white spectacles, pale yellowish belly, and tawny edges on wing feathers. Extremely similar to Black-and-white Becard, with potential range overlap on the east slope of the Andes in Ecuador and Peru. Male Cryptic shows a narrower upper wingbar, paler lores, a grayer upperside of the tail, and a more slender bill than Black-and-white. Female Cryptic has a duller brownish crown with a narrower black border. These features may all be difficult or impossible to assess in the field; some birds are best left unidentified. Also note voice: song a fast series of two sweet downslurred whistles followed by a stuttered upslurred whistle, often repeated two or three times. Black-and-white’s song is slower, with longer notes.

An easily overlooked, locally common bird found in the understory and on the ground in forests, especially in hilly terrain and near water, from the lowlands up to middle elevations. The reddish-brown back and tail are noticeable when the bird flies away in the undergrowth, but also look for the bright white eye-stripe, the gray face and crown stripe, and the bright white undersides. Distinguished from the Fire-crested Alethe by its distinctive bright white eye-line and bright pink legs. Mainly silent, but will sometimes give a short whistled “wheep!” or harsh “djar” chatter notes.

Fairly common in the Andes, from scrubby valleys in higher foothills up to high elevation puna plains, rocky slopes, and bogs. Usually seen as singles or pairs, feeding on the ground near cover or singing from a prominent rock or post. Distinctive in most of range with a long arched bill and rather plain buffy brown plumage overall. Easily confused with the very similar White-throated Earthcreeper on the west slope of the Andes. The two species often occur together, but Buff-breasted Earthcreepers are plainer and more uniform overall with a less distinct pale eyebrow and a different song.