Marsh Widowbird

Impressive, strongly-patterned owl of cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Note brown breast, banded belly, and white “X” on otherwise dark face. Juvenile is creamy white with a black mask. Usually first detected by its far-carrying song that is often given as a duet. One owl starts with a pulsing series of low-pitched, guttural notes. Another owl responds with a similar vocalization but at a slightly different pitch, and after a few moments the first owl sings again.

A small flycatcher that is only found in bamboo patches in the lower levels of humid forests. Olive-green on the back, head and breast, with a distinctive yellow eyebrow wrapping around the eye, and a two-tone broad, flat bill. The belly is pale yellow and the wings are mostly dark but with two prominent cinnamon wingbars and cinnamon edges to the flight feathers. Rarely joins mixed-species flocks. The song is a very distinctive soft whistled “feeww-fuu,” repeated for long periods.

Extremely rare diving duck. Breeding male has a dark green gloss to the head, but often seems dark-headed in poor lighting. Non-breeding males are duller, but have pale eyes. Females and immatures have dark brown heads and dark eyes. Boldly patterned chestnut-and-white sides unique among ducks; compare the brown sides of Ferruginous Duck and pale sides of Common Pochards, both similar species. Can be difficult to separate from Ferruginous Duck, with which it sometimes hybridizes; note less extensive white wing panels in present species. During the colder months, often found singly or in small groups within non-breeding flocks of more common duck species. Breeds on sheltered, well-vegetated lakes; prefers large open bodies of water in the winter.