Worstbird

A common thrush of clearings and forest edge in most of western Ecuador; also reaches far northwestern Peru. Adult’s tan plumage, yellow bill, and orange eyering are distinct in its range. Young birds have pale spots on their wings, and a mottled breast; they may also have darker bills. Sings a melodious song that can last for many minutes, and also gives a cat-like meow. Visits fruit feeders in some areas.

Plump, small antpitta with olive-brown back, tawny underparts, white belly, and gray crown. Sexes similar. Difficult to see, mostly near the ground in forests with dense or open understory. Easy to detect by voice: song a descending series of high-pitched whistles “pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi.” Very similar to Slate-crowned Antpitta, but no range overlap with this or any other similar antpitta species. Endemic to the Turimiquire and Paria regions of northeastern Venezuela.

This flightless South American relative of the Ostrich stands about 5 feet tall with a body about the size of a sheep; no similar species in its range. Rheas roam widely on open Patagonian steppe and also occur locally in open habitats of the Andes, mainly at very high elevations. Can be confiding where used to people, but in other areas wary, running strongly and quickly. Rheas occur singly or in groups, and males take care of the young. Adults have bold pale spots on the body, first-year birds are plainer overall.

Fairly small antshrike with a graduated, white-tipped tail. Males are gray overall with a black cap and a whitish center to the belly. Females have a cinnamon cap and back and are gray-buff below. Found in the lower levels of short transitional deciduous forests and white sand forests, avoiding humid forests. Sings a series of up to 20 clear notes, starting slowly and accelerating toward the end, finishing with a rattle. Very difficult to distinguish from the male of the Amazonian Antshrike, but differs in habitat. Female Amazonian Antshrike has a bright cinnamon head, not just the cap.

An unusual bushshrike-like bird with a heavy hooked bill, olive-green above and pale below with bold white spotting on the wings. The yellow corners of the tail can be conspicuous in flight. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, thickets, lush secondary habitat, and dense woodland. Skulking and secretive, usually remaining in tangled understory and mid-level vegetation. Very similar to Eastern Nicator, but their ranges do not overlap. Also similar to Yellow-throated Nicator, but larger, without a bright yellow throat and streak above the eye. Very vocal and most often detected by voice; the song is a quick jumble of wooden notes, and the common call is a penetrating “chaak.”