Beautiful Jay

Medium-sized, streak-backed cisticola of uplands. Shows a rufous cap and rufous in the wing. Varies geographically in overall coloration, boldness of streaking on the back, and other traits. Found in grassland and savanna on rocky slopes with a mix of bushes, grass, and often aloes. Generally inconspicuous; seen singly or in pairs. Vocalizations include a short, explosive, accelerating trill, and rising wails. Very similar to Red-headed Cisticola, but has a different voice, a larger bill, more buffy underparts, and shows rufous in the wing. Also similar to Rattling Cisticola, but has more rufous in the face and a longer tail. As with all cisticolas, habitat and voice are important cues in identification.

Drab thrush endemic to floodplain forest of the Río Mamoré and tributaries surrounded by the flooded Moxos grasslands in El Beni, central Bolivia. From similar Hauxwell’s and Black-billed Thrushes by dull olive bill, exposed yellowish orbital skin, and relatively plain throat. Difficult to see, mainly because most of its habitat is tough to access. Song low, full whistles, 5-6 notes with little variation. Calls short full notes, or longer nasal calls.

Chunky, small bird with short bill and tail. Male blue black above and on throat, bright yellow below and on forecrown. Female olive above and yellow below with grayish-white breast. Both sexes show extensive white on underside of tail. Often in pairs, with male perching and singing from tops of trees. Common in dry to humid woodlands. Common call consists of two clear, whistled notes, “tee dee.” Male distinguished from other euphonias by forecrown color and size, along with color of throat and underparts; male plumage identical to Purple-throated Euphonia. Female distinguished by presence of gray-white color in breast, along with color of undertail coverts and white underside to tail.