Chestnut-headed Chachalaca

Well-named seedeater found from Venezuela to Bolivia. Male is distinctive: all black above with a white patch at the base of the primaries and a white belly. Could be confused with Yellow-bellied Seedeater, but that species lacks the wing patch and the belly is pale yellow. Females are plain brown and extremely similar to other seedeaters; look for accompanying males to help identify! Generally an Andean species, found up to around 2,500m, but sometimes wanders into adjacent lowlands. Uncommon in grassy areas or scrubby edge, often in flocks with other seedeaters.

Fairly common brownish bird found in shrubby grasslands and páramo in the high Andes from northern Colombia to central Peru. Notable features include bold white streaking above and below and rufous wings that contrast with its brown body. Typically shows a thin white eyebrow. Some variation across range: birds in East Andes of Colombia have a tawnier face while birds in Peru are whiter below. Compare with Streak-backed Canastero, which has much plainer underparts. Can be fairly sneaky and difficult to see on the ground or in dense shrubs, but occasionally perches in the open, especially when singing. Listen for accelerating series of harsh “scree” notes ending in a hard, fast trill.

Medium-sized, plain antpitta found in a limited area of the eastern Andes in south central Peru. It is uniform brown lacking strong field marks, but the pale eyering helps separate it from the similar Oxapampa Antpitta. Range and voice are also very important for ID. Typical songs include a short “bit-burr” and a series of five or six grating whistles. Inhabits the understory of high elevation forest and is mostly terrestrial, but sometimes perches higher to sing. It was formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.