Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant

Large, very dark swallow endemic to Galápagos. Male is entirely deep bluish black. Female and juvenile are mostly brown with a bluish tinge to upperparts. In flight, note triangular wingtips and notched tail. Very similar to Purple Martin, which is a rare and erratic visitor (most records are from October to January). Male Galápagos Martin is smaller but otherwise looks almost identical; female is uniform brown below, lacking a pale belly. Uncommon and endangered, with a population estimated at less than 1000 birds. Usually encountered in pairs or very small groups circling overhead as they hunt insects.

Breeds locally in the high Andes of central Chile and adjacent Argentina; migrates north in winter. Favors bleak rocky and stony slopes, adjacent bogs, and lakeshores; often in same areas as other ground-tyrant species. Subtly distinctive with rather ashy gray plumage, droop-tipped bill, and black “mohawk” head pattern. Often looks more pot-bellied than other sleeker ground-tyrants.

Rather large thrush, gray-brown above and whitish below with rather rounded dark spots; tail has small white corners, lacking in appreciably smaller Song Thrush. In flight, looks rather pale and grayish overall, especially when compared with dark brownish Song Thrush. Found in a variety of wooded habitats, including parks and moorland with hedges and taller trees. Often feeds on larger lawns and grassy verges, often well away from cover. Sweet and rich-sounding warbled song is similar to that of Eurasian Blackbird, and very unlike Song Thrush. Dry rattle calls are distinctive.