When I walk around in the Netherlands I recognise most birds. Even without paying too much attention I know what birds are around me and if there is something unusual around. In South America this is something completely different. Even with a lot of effort I have no clue what I’m looking at. No sounds are familiar, no birds that I know (well, ok, apart from the ever present House Sparrows…). This is frustrating, but also really nice. This Rufous-collared Sparrow is one of the most common passerine species around here, but for me it’s still so unusual that I spent quite some time today getting some nice pictures.