1. Ovenbirds
The family Furnariidae consists of approximately 220 species of ovenbirds. These small- to medium-sized drab brown South American birds live in a variety of habitats, from the coast to the Andes, from swamps and jungles to grasslands and rocky mountain slopes.
The ovenbird family derives its common name from members of the genus Furnarius, which build large, elaborate mud-and-cow-dung nests that look like old-fashioned ovens.
2. Woodcreepers
About 50 species of woodcreepers make up the family Dendrocolaptidae. These solitary tree dwellers live from Mexico and the Caribbean islands south to Argentina.
The woodcreeper ranges in length from 5 to 16 inches (12.7 to 40 centimeters); most species have olive plumage with reddish wings and tail. Its legs are short and strong; its bill is stout, long, and adapted for probing bark to find insects and spiders -its main foods.
3. American Flycatchers
The tyrant flycatchers make up the family Tyrannidae. There are more than 350 species, found throughout the Americas but most numerous in the tropics. They are not to be confused with Old World flycatchers, birds that belong to the thrush family (Muscicapidae).
In temperate areas, the American flycatcher prefers open country, thin woods, orchards, or gardens. It spends much time perched on branches and poles, from which it darts after insects, its chief food. Other species live in deserts and tropical rain forests.
The American flycatcher has small, weak feet, a short neck, and a large head. Its bill, broad and flat at the base, tapers down to a hooked tip. The mouth, which has bristles at its corners, can open wide.
The "tyrant" nickname derives from this bird's aggressive behavior -perhaps most obvious when it drives off larger birds, such as hawks and crows, that encroach on its territory.
Among the most fearless Tyrannidae are the kingbirds, genus Tyrannus. The Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, is a bit smaller than a robin; its plumage is white, black, and gray, with an orange crown. This bird nests in rural areas in eastern North America, and winters in Central America and parts of northern South America.
A particularly striking member of the family is the many-colored rush tyrant, Tachuris rubrigastra, of South America. Its plumage includes vibrant shades of greens, oranges, and reds, as well as black and white.
The family also includes the small phoebe, of the genus Sayornis, and the Eastern wood pewee, Contopus virens. These sparrow-sized creatures have gray-brown or olive feathers above and whitish ones below. Pewees prefer woodlands; phoebes, human habitations.
4. Cotingas
The 90 species of the family Cotingidae all live in the New World, from Central America south into South America. These forest dwellers have short, sturdy legs and large, hooked beaks. Cotingas usually eat insects and fruits.
The birds in this family differ greatly in appearance from one species to another. Most have dull-colored plumage, but some are brightly colored. The male cock-of-the-rock of the genus Rupicola has bright red or orange feathers; atop its head is a flattened, disklike crest. The female, by contrast, while also having a crest, is substantially smaller and has unremarkable brown plumage.
5. Lyrebirds
The beautiful lyrebirds (family Menuridae) are perhaps best known for the adult male's magnificent tail -a true extravaganza in which two large outer feathers fringe 12 filamentary feathers; all the tail feathers have silvery undersides. On some males, the feathers reach 2.5 feet (76 centimeters) in length! During the courtship ritual, the male spreads the tail feathers and brings them forward over his back, all the time dancing and singing to the female, often mimicking the songs of other forest birds.
Without its remarkable tail, the lyrebird looks somewhat like an ordinary hen. It has a large head; long neck; and short, rounded, and rather weak wings. Its long legs terminate in feet equipped with heavy claws.
