Merida Flowerpiercer

A sleek forest bird that sometimes ventures into gardens and parks in search of flowers and fruit; prefers areas with palms. The adult is distinctive—clothed in black except for patches of yellow on lower belly, shoulders, and rump. No similar species occur within its range. Immatures are muddled yellow, orange, and olive, developing adult plumage over the course of a year. This plumage resembles that of female and young Baltimore Orioles, a scarce migrant and winter visitor to Hispaniola. Similarly attired Baltimore Orioles can be distinguished by their orange underparts and white wingbars. The song is a rapid jumble of squeaky and metallic notes. Calls include a buzzy “jrrrt” and a metallic “zhwee.”

Small dark seabird of Humboldt Current, although relatively large for a storm-petrel; not seen from shore, but breeds inland in Atacama Desert where it visits colonies at night to avoid predators. Favors warmer waters beyond cooler inshore zone. Plumage all dark except for bold pale bands on upperwing; also note deeply forked tail. Told from similar size Black Storm-Petrel (which favors cooler inshore waters) by bolder pale wing bands, shallower wingbeats, and smaller feet (big feet of Black Storm-Petrel often hang down).

Large woodpecker found in the subtropical and temperate zones in the Andes from extreme western Venezuela to Peru. Look for the white stripe that runs down the face and neck, a white ‘V’ on the back, and the cinnamon belly with dark barring. The male has a red crest. Found at higher elevations than any similar large woodpeckers – typically above 1,800m and all the way up to over 3,000m. Pairs wander widely throughout the forest, so they are infrequently encountered.