Sooty Barbet

Fairly small flowerpiercer found in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru. Entirely black with typical flowerpiercer bill: uniquely upswept with a hooked tip. In most of range, lacks gray shoulder patch, which helps separate from Glossy Flowerpiercer. However, population in eastern Andes of Colombia do show a gray shoulder patch, but it is smaller and duller than Glossy’s. Black is typically associated with dry scrubby habitats at high elevations, from 2,500-4,500m. Singles or pairs forage at low to middle levels.

A large, brightly-colored lark of grassy steppe; often found near lakes and wet meadows. Brown overall with cinnamon tinges to the crown and shoulders, a down-curved white eyebrow, and a blotchy black collar that breaks at the throat. Highly distinctive in flight: black-and-white wing pattern is reminiscent of certain lapwings and plovers, and visible from a great distance. Usually seen singly.

A small blue-and-orange kingfisher with a bright waxy orange bill, ginger underparts, a white throat, and blue upperparts with a bright white neck spot. Female has a bright orange, not blue, head with a blue crown. Found in forest habitats, not necessarily near water, tolerating plantations and degraded forest. No other dwarf-kingfisher shares its range. Told from Common Kingfisher by smaller size and entirely red bill. Call apparently nearly identical that of other Melanesian dwarf-kingfishers: a high-pitched, weak repetitive whistle, often given in flight.