Peruvian Martin

Breeding birds are striking with black, crested head and broad, thick white eyebrow and moustache. Cheeks on males black; females have rufous cheeks and a paler rear crown. Can be easily confused with Reed Bunting in winter but note pink bill and white ear patch. Breeds in the boreal zone in lowland deciduous forest with spruce, birch, and willow, and in dense flooded pine forests. Call a short "zit." Soft melodic song often heard through the night.

Rather nondescript rufous bird with a long, spiky tail. The plumage is mostly chestnut with a dark brown rump, tail, and underparts. Found patchily in humid primary and second growth, usually in light gaps or in bamboo or vine tangles, where it typically forages near the ground. The song is a distinctive “prrrr-préét” of which the second note is higher. The similar Ruddy Spinetail has a black throat patch.

A stout-billed, boldly patterned finch of forest understory and overgrown areas near the forest edge, often found near water. Can occur alone or in mixed-species flocks. Note the blue bill, the bright red underparts, and the black back. Males have black heads and bellies, whereas females have red faces and white-spotted black bellies. Western Bluebill is the only bluebill or seedcracker in which the male has a black head. Calls include high-pitched whistles: “psiu.” Songs include longer series of clear whistles with varying pitch.