Pale-breasted Illadopsis

Distinctive but variable: all plumages are some bold combination of black, white, and gray. Shows considerable variation in plumage across the world, but never has a clear, thin and contrasting eye-brow like White-browed or Japanese Wagtail. Occurs in varied open habitats, from wild grassy areas and wetlands to paved car parks and grassy lawns. Usually seen as singles, pairs, or small groups walking and running around, pumping the long, white-sided tail up and down. Identified easily in flight by its loud, thick and distinctive “tsee-tsee’ call.

Common summer resident in the Andes of central Chile and adjacent Argentina; migrates north in winter. Found on rocky and stony slopes with scrubby bushes, gravel plains, bogs, and lakeshores; often the commonest ground-tyrant, associating readily with other species in migrant flocks. Best identified by brownish cast to back (not pure gray), diffuse rusty nape patch, and relatively distinct whitish eyebrow; sometimes very confiding.

A big, conspicuous, colorful barbet with a yellow face and breast that are speckled with black, and a red undertail. There is considerable geographical variation in the amount of black on the crown, throat, and breast band and in the color of the belly, which can be yellow or white. Found on and near the ground in savanna habitats with termite mounds, usually in pairs and small groups. The song is a phrase of three or four notes repeated over and over, often given as a duet. Separated from Yellow-breasted Barbet by the heavily speckled face, and from Red-and-yellow Barbet by the lack of red on the head.