Worstbird

Vote for the Worstbird May 2025

Ockerkehl-Baumsteiger

Small, slim woodcreeper with a thin slightly decurved bill. Found in humid forests, where it regularly follows mixed-species flocks. The rufous-brown body is heavily marked with drop-shaped spots on the breast, head, and back. Separated from Lesser Woodcreeper by range, blurry streaks on belly, and olive-yellow eyering, eyestripe, and throat.

Falblerche

A pallid, medium-small, compact lark with a pale stout bill that appears swollen and a streaky crest that is often raised. The upperparts are sandy brown with indistinct dark streaks, the face is plain with a distinct eyebrow, and the breast shows very diffuse streaking on whitish underparts. Highly nomadic; small to very large flocks can appear after rains, sometimes associating with sparrow-larks or buntings, preferring arid grasslands on plains and gravel rather than sandy substrates. The species performs an aerial display with trills, whistles, and chirps. Often it rests in shade during the heat of the day with the crest raised, mouth open, eyes half shut, and wings drooped to aid in cooling.

Orangeaugen-Breitschnabeltyrann

Rare flycatcher found in seasonally flooded swamp forest in lowlands east of the Andes. Pale eye, wide bill, buffy throat and breast, gray crown, and lack of facial markings help separate it from similar species such as Gray-crowned Flycatcher. It is typically seen quite high in the trees, but usually not in the forest canopy. Song is a series of emphatic, raspy squeaks.

Galápagostyrann

Small, gorgeous flycatcher, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, where now rare and local. Unmistakable in range. Adult males have brilliant red underparts and crown with dark brown upperparts and mask behind eye. Females are brown above with a whitish throat and lemon-yellow underparts. Found in open forest and forest edge. Feeds on insects. Once considered conspecific with Vermilion Flycatcher.

Camiguinkauz

A rare medium-sized owl of remnant broadleaf forest on Camiguin Island. Uniformly barred, with a brown head and upperparts, a pale bar behind the shoulder, warmer brown underparts, long whiskers around the face, and pale yellow eyes. Note the white throat patch. Song is a rapid series of fairly low “woop” notes, sometimes given in duet. White throat particularly noticeable when calling.