Barred Antthrush

Belligerent hummingbird of Andean cloud forest; ranges from far southwestern Colombia south to Peru. Note green upperparts and hood, chestnut breast and belly, and relatively short bill. Sexes similar. Habitually holds its wings up for a split second after perching. Often seen guarding a favorite flower patch or feeder, chasing away any other hummingbird that dares to come close.

A small, fork-tailed, sooty-brown swallow with different plumages for the sexes: distinctive male has a pure white head and narrow black eye stripe; female has a mostly ashy head with white throat. Immature lacks white on the head. Pairs use clearings and edges of evergreen forest, open woodland, and cultivation. Resident in East Africa, but an intra-African breeding migrant in Zambia and Malawi between October and May. Superficially more similar to swifts than other swallows. Note the differences in flight style: flightier with deep wing beats and rapid changes of direction, as opposed to the more stiff-winged flight of swifts.

Attractive, multicolored little bird of fresh and brackish marshes with rushes and reed beds; known in some areas as siete colores (seven colors). Feeds actively in rushes and adjacent vegetation, sometimes on adjacent muddy shorelines. Boldly patterned and colorful plumage is unique among flycatchers and should not be confused if seen well; note the bold white wingband and white tail sides, which show distinctly in flight.