Zebra Waxbill

Handsome flycatcher found only in the high Andes of Venezuela. Plumage is quite distinctive with bright cinnamon belly, eyebrows, and wing stripes. Inhabits elfin forest and scrub near or above tree line. Typically encountered in pairs that perch in the open and give sharp “chep” calls and as well as raucous chatters. Formerly treated as a subspecies of Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, which only barely reaches over Colombian border into Venezuela and does not overlap with Rufous-browed.

Large, spectacular swift, often seen in swirling flocks, at times with other species of swifts. Roosts and nests mainly in caves and behind waterfalls, but ranges widely over forests, open areas, and towns, from highlands to coastal lowlands. Note the large size, complete white collar, and forked tail tip. Varied screaming and chattering calls can suggest parakeets.

Male distinctive, with long, lyre-shaped tail and white undertail coverts; shows white wing stripe in flight. Female warm brown with heavy dark barring; compare to smaller and rustier Willow Ptarmigan (known in Great Britain and Ireland as “Red Grouse”), which shows a solidly dark tail in flight. In early spring, males gather around dawn to display, fanning their deeply forked tails and fluffing their white undertail coverts while giving a low churring call. Habitat varies throughout range, but generally favors more open forests and forest margins, as well as upland steppes, heathlands, and moors. In southern parts of range, such as the Alps, favors denser forests with conifer stands.