Dusky Gerygone

A small antwren with a relatively long tail and bill. Restricted to southeastern Brazil. Bright plumage for an antwren: look for its yellow belly, rufous wings, bold white wingbars, and dark eyeline. Sexes are similar, but female has a rufous cap, which is black on male. Most often seen in pairs, foraging in the low to middle levels of lowland and foothill forest. Frequently follows mixed-species flocks. Listen for a descending trill, fastest in the middle, with a piping quality.

Medium-size, fairly common woodcreeper of tropical lowlands. Favors forest edge, open woodland, hedges with tall trees. Feeds on trunks and larger branches, often spiraling up one trunk and flying low to the next tree. Note the relatively slender and slightly decurved bill, distinct but fine pale streaking on the head and back. Easily confused with larger Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, which is more of a forest bird and has a bigger and straighter bill.

This sharply attired black-and-white starling has a pointed yellowish bill with an orange base. Mainly black upperparts with white belly and white rump noticeable in flight. Note the bare, deep orange patch around its eye that contrasts with its white cheek. Easternmost birds have a white, streaked forehead. Seen in loose flocks close to human habitation feeding on human refuse. Garbage dumps, damp grazing lands, and well-watered parks are its favoured haunts. Noisy with a variety of calls that includes mimicked sounds of other birds.