Plain-crested Elaenia

This chickenlike bird is bright rufous on the face and underparts and dark brown above. Look for the black throat with a contrasting white collar (lacking in southernmost population). Also note slight crest, stout bill, and some bare gray skin around the eye. Uncommon in western Colombia and Ecuador, where it is found in lowland and foothill forest. Shy and difficult to see; stays in small groups on the forest floor and rarely comes out in the open. Listen for rollicking whistled song, similar to other wood-quails.

A large, robust, ungainly cuckoo with rufous wings and a long, broad tail. Shows a solid dark cap and back of the head, and white underparts. Unlike other coucals, shows an obviously barred rump and upper tail coverts. It often moves clumsily, preferring to clamber about in rank vegetation or walk on the ground foraging for insects or small vertebrates. Its flight is labored and heavy. This species uses a wide variety of habitats with a thick understory, including savanna, woodland, forest edge, and wetlands. The song is a deep descending bubbling series, “bu-bu-bu bu bu bu bu”, that falls and then rises in pitch.

Fairly large green-backed woodpecker. The face and breast are finely speckled, with some larger black markings on the lower belly. Found in moist montane forest. Very quiet bird that occasionally gives a “kwee” call. Similar to Fine-spotted Woodpecker, but found in different habitat, lacks a red or black stripe on the face, and also lacks barring in the wing and tail.