Little Forktail

Male is slaty-blue with a white eyebrow, dark face, and orange underparts. Female is matte brown with buffy underparts; females in the Chin Hills have a slate-gray back. Furtive and skulky; male sings from deep cover, giving a series of sharp whistles devolving into a burst of trilling and chattering notes. Prefers dense, damp undergrowth in wet forests, often in proximity to streams and gullies.

Rare and very shy bird of high-elevation cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Boldly streaked with black and buff. Plumage is very similar to that of the more common Striped Treehunter, but it is larger and the markings are much more contrasting. Due to the furtive nature of these birds, voice is usually the easiest way to separate them. Rufous-backed Treehunter gives a harsh, rattling trill as well as abrupt “chak” notes. Inhabits dense tangles of bamboo and usually very hard to see.

Inconspicuous and uncommon woodpecker of coniferous forests, particularly spruces, often at high elevations (especially in the Rockies). Prefers recently burned areas or bogs with many dead trees. Distinctive habit of flaking bark off trees in search of grubs; behavior shared only by Black-backed Woodpecker. Generally dark with barred flanks and subtle white spots on wings and back. Face is black with white stripes above and below the eye and white speckles on the forehead. Eastern birds darker than western birds. Males show yellow patch on crown; sexes otherwise alike. Most similar to Black-backed Woodpecker but American Three-toed always shows some white on back and more white on head. Listen for soft, hollow "pweek" call and slow drumming that fades at the end.