Plain Thornbird
Phacellodomus inornatus
The plain thornbird is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs about 20 to 31 g (0.71 to 1.1 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dull brown stripe behind the eye on an otherwise pale buff-brown face. Their crown and upperparts are dull brown. Their wings are mostly dull brown with darker brown primary coverts and some rufescence. Their tail is dull brown. Their throat is pale and the rest of their underparts are mostly dirty buff-white. Voice: The plain thornbird's song is "a bright, chippery and energetic series of loud 'chit' or 'chee' notes, often given in duet, which accelerates slightly, before gradually slowing and dropping in pitch" and is frequently repeated. Its calls include "a sharp 'chip' or 'chek, or a metallic 'tsi' ".
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Rufous-fronted Thornbird
Phacellodomus rufifrons
The rufous-fronted thornbird is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs about 18 to 31 g (0.63 to 1.1 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies P. r. rufifrons have a dull buff supercilium that continues past the eye, a dark brown stripe behind the eye, and dark grayish lores on an otherwise pale buff-brown face. Their forehead ("front") is dark rufous and their crown dark brownish with some paler streaks. Their upperparts are a slightly lighter dark brown. Their wings are mostly dull brown with darker brown primary coverts. Their tail is dull brown. Voice: The rufous-fronted thornbird's song is a "rather unstructured series of very high, mewing 'stjew' notes, rising, falling, and repeating". Its calls include an "extr. high, sharp 'sipsipsip-sip-' " and "a sharp 'chip' or 'chek, or a metallic 'tsi'.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where you might meet both
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Play today's Daily BirdPhotos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Plain Thornbird and Rufous-fronted Thornbird.