Tropical Scrubwren

A fairly large bird of mid-montane forest, including disturbed areas with Casuarinas. Male, mainly black plumage with 2 remarkable erectile fans which are lifted up over the head during its display, metallic, blue-green, trapezium-shaped breast shield and patches above the eyes. Female has a gray-brown back with rufous flight feathers, barred underparts, a broad, black eye-stripe and white eye-brow. Female similar to female parotias, but is slightly smaller and has a dark eye. Female also similar to female Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise but is larger and has a black bill. The male’s yellow-green interior of the mouth is visible whilst it gives its piercing nasal screech.

Very long-tailed prinia of hilly and montane areas, descending to foothills in winter. Note rufous crown, warm brown upperparts and sides, and gray cheeks and pale belly. Breeding adult’s white moustache stripe, black throat and chest are unmistakable. Non-breeding has prominent white brow, pale throat, and finely streaked chest. Favors scrubby, open areas. Non-breeding plumage somewhat similar to Striated Prinia, but Rufous-crowned has unstreaked upperparts and white eyebrow. Song is a repetitive series of “plik” notes. Call is a mournful, descending “piuu”.

Plump, colorful bird of cloud forest in the western Andes. Male’s orange breast and black head make him easy to recognize. Female’s ID is more challenging: black feet and pale eyes separate her from female Green-and-black Fruiteater, and unstreaked chin from female Golden-breasted Fruiteater. Plucks berries at mid-levels in the forest; often found in pairs. Gives very high-pitched whistles, some very short and others long and drawn out.