White-throated Sierra Finch

Medium-sized sandgrouse, smaller than Spotted Sandgrouse. Rather compact build, lacking any long projecting tail feathers. Males have a distinctive black forehead and chin. Females are heavily patterned all over. Both sexes have an orange throat and a grayish crown and nape. In flight, shows a strongly contrasting two-toned underwing pattern. Flight call is a rather dry, nasal mumble, “hu-het hu-het.” Breeds on stony plains and hills in the harsh desert. Congregates at drinking spots in the morning.

Small, uniformly dark pewee, elusive in the canopy of humid forests, often at higher elevations in Andean foothills but also apparently patchily in Amazonian lowlands. Usually found perching upright at the top of tall trees. Call is a high “peep” like Tropical Pewee, sometimes double-noted.

Shy understory bird of upper humid montane forest in the east slope of the Andes from central-western Argentina to central Bolivia. Prefers thick understory, and more often heard than seen. Often curious and inquisitive, but tends to stay hidden when possible. From similar Streak-fronted Thornbird by reddish cap, spotted underparts, and habitat (Streak-fronted prefers dryer and more open woodland). Song an accelerating then decelerating series of 10-12 “queet!” notes that rise and then fall in pitch.