Black Pitohui

Large for a screech-owl. Warm rufous-brown overall, brightest on face, which does not have a distinct black border like most other screech-owls. Coarsely marked on belly. Found in montane forests, where the best way to find it is by voice. Listen for the short series of hoots.

A cute, dumpy, colorful flycatcher-like bird. Sexes differ: the male has a black chest band, a short white eyebrow, and a white throat; the distinctive female has a mostly uniform sandy beige throat and breast, and a white wingbar. Pairs often join mixed-species flocks, actively hover-gleaning and hawking insects in riverine woodland in semi-desert and arid savanna. The species makes clicks by snapping its bill; also gives a monotonous series of piping “tseeep” notes that slowly descends in pitch, as well as a croaking “krunk.” The male Pririt Batis is very similar to the larger Chinspot Batis, but it differs by having a narrower chest band, often dark-speckled flanks, and a different call.

Rare vireo found only in lush Andean cloud forest in northwestern Ecuador and western Colombia. In contrast to the much more common Brown-capped Vireo, it has pale wingbars and may show an ochraceous wash on the throat and breast. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks high in the canopy, where it can be hard to see well. Song is a quick series of sweet-sounding notes that vary in pitch unpredictably.