Sunda Forktail

A small streaky bird of open habitats from Patagonian steppe grassland to marshes, agricultural fields, and high Andean bogs; widespread and often common. In much of range the only pipit: note boldly streaked plumage, slender bill, and white sides to tail (best seen in flight). In areas with other pipits, note that Correndera has boldly streaked back, often with paler “braces” and strong blackish streaking on flanks; also note voice. Like other pipits, often sings in flight, high overhead.

Medium-sized, long-tailed, sluggish bird that occurs in a variety of humid forest types. Males are iridescent blue with a yellow belly; females are mostly grayish where males are blue. Yellow eyering visible at close range; note finely barred outer tail feathers. Sits still and makes abrupt short flights to forage on large insect prey; also eats fruit. Song is a quick series of barking notes. Similar to Green-backed Trogon, but slightly smaller with a complete eyering, different tail pattern, and faster song.

Forest-falcons are well-named raptors; they are found almost exclusively inside the forest. They are generally slender and long-tailed, with long legs. Slaty-backed is clean-looking, smooth gray above and white below. Juveniles have a scaly pattern on breast. Similar to several other raptors, including Bicolored Hawk; note more extensive yellow skin around eye. As with all forest-falcons, more often heard than seen, and more easily identified by voice. Sings from the canopy, mostly at dawn and dusk. Listen for series of mournful “aww” notes, similar in tone to Collared Forest-Falcon (but Collared typically gives single notes).