Biak Hooded Pitta

Small, active tanager with notably different male and female plumages. Male is steely blue overall with slightly darker wings. Look for sea-green throat and cheek, streaked upper breast, and contrasting black cap and nape. Female is mostly lime green with pale bluish head and breast; she has just a ghosting of the male’s black cap. Usually found in pairs, often following a mixed-species flock in the canopy. An Andean species, found in subtropical forest, edges, and gardens. Visits fruit feeders.

An unusual warbler with a restricted range in the central Tanzanian mountains. Mostly gray, darker on the back, with a rich rufous head and breast. Females are duller. A shy and skulking bird of the understory of montane forest. Usually found in pairs. Somewhat similar to African Tailorbird and Chapin’s Apalis, but chunkier, with more extensive rufous on the head and breast. Normally detected by voice: the male sings a well-spaced series of long, pure whistles, sometimes accompanied in a duet by the female, who gives lower whistles in simple patterns. 

A small bird that is warm brown above and gray below. Completely unstreaked unlike a canastero. Also note indistinct whitish eyering and short gray eyebrow. Namesake “thistle” tail refers to the long, thin, and pointed tail feathers. Occurs in the Andes from Colombia to central Peru from around 2,800 to 3,500 m. Look for singles or pairs skulking in shrubby areas or stunted woodlands near treeline, not often coming out in the open. Compare with Mouse-colored Thistletail, which is duller brown above and shows a less distinct eyebrow.