Pale-throated Pampa-Finch

Striking, fairly small tanager with a black-and-gray back and white underparts contrasting with a bright red throat. Note the yellow eyes. Inhabits the canopy of humid forest, where it forages in bromeliads and usually accompanies mixed-species flocks. Has a sharp nasal call: “péuuu, péuuu-see’ee.” Extremely rare, known from only a few forest patches.

Well-named seedeater found from Venezuela to Bolivia. Male is distinctive: all black above with a white patch at the base of the primaries and a white belly. Could be confused with Yellow-bellied Seedeater, but that species lacks the wing patch and the belly is pale yellow. Females are plain brown and extremely similar to other seedeaters; look for accompanying males to help identify! Generally an Andean species, found up to around 2,500m, but sometimes wanders into adjacent lowlands. Uncommon in grassy areas or scrubby edge, often in flocks with other seedeaters.

Black-and-white cuckoo with a spiffy crest (also known as the “Jacobin Cuckoo” for its smartly attired appearance). Some southern African birds exhibit a dark morph: all black with a white wing patch. Found in lowland and foothill open forests and plains, often in thorny growth. Song is a widely-spaced series of somewhat hoarse whistled notes. Lays its eggs in the nests of babblers, bulbuls, and shrikes.