Five-striped Sparrow

A slender, blackish medium-sized crow with a long bill. The grayish nape and sides form a paler collar that contrasts with the glossy black body. Primarily a scavenger, feeding on leftover rubbish from humans. Found in a wide range of habitats mostly around human habitation. Their call is a loud and harsh “kaa kaa kaa.”

Generally quite common and conspicuous in wetland habitats from marshes and tidal flats to small ponds, ditches, and wet fields; nests colonially in tall trees. Mainly seen as singles or in small groups, standing quietly in or at the edge of water, less often hunting in fields. Plumage mostly gray overall, with paler neck; adult has white crown, black eyebrows, and black shoulder patch. Like other herons and egrets, flies with neck pulled in to form a bulge.

An exceptionally shy spinetail found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes, ranging into lowland forest in some areas. Plumage is dark gray with a black throat and chestnut crown, wings, and tail. In central Colombia, birds are somewhat paler. Inhabits dense tangles in forest understory, where it is very hard to see. Usually first detected by its song, a low, guttural trill.