Striated Antbird

Medium-sized swift, dark overall with a white throat. Almost always seen in fast, direct flight, which, as the name suggests, is swift. Bigger and longer-winged than swallows, with strong stiff wingbeats. Lacks the white rump patches of similarly-sized Pacific Swift (and other "fork-tailed swifts") and various needletails. Nests in cavities in cliffs and buildings. Ranges widely over any habitat in search of aerial insects, often over lakes and reservoirs where swallows congregate. Usually flies higher than swallows except when swooping low to drink by splashing briefly on water surface. Calls frequently, especially near the nest, giving a high-pitched wheezing scream.

Rare and endangered, a bright yellow warbler with gray head, very short white eyebrow, and orange legs. Sexes similar. Uncommon, often in pairs, family groups, and mixed species flocks in understory and edges of cloud forest and bamboo patches, but always close to areas with mature forest. Vocal in early morning, with distinctive calls and song, often very loud in duet. Song is a melodious, repetitive, and loud five-note “we-chee-cHEEw, wee-cHEEw;” call is a “chack” or a short trill; duets are the combination of song and “chack” calls at the same time. Similar to the more common Golden-crowned Warbler, but lacking black crown stripes and gray back. Endemic to the Turimiquire region of northeastern Venezuela.

Unusual and handsome forest-dwelling warbler. Males are mostly rufous, and females olive-gray, but both show a black face mask that continues down the center of the underparts. Skulks in the thick undergrowth of humid forest. The male sings a long series of high, penetrating whistles which can sound like a truck backing up. He is sometimes accompanied by low “trr” calls from the female.