Leymebamba Antpitta

Small migratory plover. Widespread in New Zealand breeding on braided rivers on both the North and South Islands. Much of the population migrates to overwinter along coastal areas in Australia, but also ventures into freshwater wetlands and grasslands. In breeding plumage, adult has two dark bands on breast, the upper band thin and blackish, the lower band broad and rusty. Nonbreeding birds more difficult to distinguish from other similar plovers: look for pale hindcollar, buff color on face, and two diffuse gray-brown streaks extending onto the breast from near the bend of the wing. This species also has shorter legs and a shorter, thinner bill than Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers.

An elegant sooty-brown swallow with a distinctive long and deeply forked tail. Plumage has a greenish gloss if seen well. Female and juvenile have shorter tails, and the latter is brownish. Resident in some areas; in others, occurs only in the breeding season. Pairs prefer foraging over clearings and the edges of evergreen forest, open woodland, and cultivation, usually near water. Not very vocal, but emits faint squeaky notes and trills. The only other sawwing in Fanti’s range is Square-tailed, which has a much shorter, square-ended tail. 

Combination of strongly scaled breast, rufous tail, and round-headed appearance distinguish this species from others in its range. Small and skulky, sticking to dense shrubbery and shorter trees in its forest breeding grounds, where it favors dense, moist growth in lowland broadleaf forests. Often bolder on migration, emerging into forest edges and gardens. Song is distinctive, a long, wet-sounding descending trill.