Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike
Campephaga phoenicea
A sleek cuckooshrike in which males and females look strikingly different. Males are entirely black with a red or occasionally yellow-orange shoulder patch. Females have olive-gray upperparts and pale underparts with fine dark barring. Found in lush woodland and cultivation, gallery forest, and along forest edge. Male closely resembles other black male cuckooshrikes, especially Black Cuckooshrike, but note red or yellow-orange (instead of yellow) shoulders. The female closely resembles female Black Cuckooshrike, but is distinguished by its mostly black undertail with yellow edgings. Inconspicuous vocalizations include a “tik” call and a high-pitched, jumbled song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Campephaga phoenicea
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Campephaga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Black-winged Lovebird
Agapornis taranta
A small, short-tailed parrot that is mostly dark green. Males have a red patch above the bill and black underwings that are distinctive in flight. Found at middle elevations in the Abyssinian highlands, in savanna, woodland, and forest, usually in small flocks. Very similar to Red-headed Lovebird, but range overlap is minor, and Black-winged is separated by the facial pattern: a small red patch in males and no colorful patch in females. The call is a high-pitched, sliding “see-lee,” often given in flight.
Bristle-nosed Barbet
Gymnobucco peli
Dark, chunky barbet with a conspicuous buff tuft of feathers on its forehead. Usually found in small groups on and around dead trees in rainforest, secondary growth, and plantations, often alongside Naked-faced or Gray-throated Barbets. The vocalizations include nasal “squeaky toy” calls, a dry rattle, and a series of identical hollow hoots. Very similar to Naked-faced Barbet, but has a large tuft above the bill. Also similar to Gray-throated Barbet, but has a mostly unfeathered head and a pale bill.
Smooth-billed Ani
Crotophaga ani
Anis are bizarre, coal-black cuckoos with long floppy tails and unique, curiously tall, flattened bills. Smooth-billed occurs in a variety of open and semi-open habitats in tropical lowlands and foothills, typically staying low in shrubs and grasses. Gregarious and not particularly graceful; usually seen crashing around awkwardly in small groups. Flies with choppy wingbeats and long glides. Widespread and common throughout much of South America and the Caribbean, extending as far west as the Pacific slope of Costa Rica and north to Florida. Compare with the very similar Groove-billed Ani, which overlaps in some areas of Central and South America. Note especially the bill shape: Smooth-billed often (but not always) has a taller ridge on the top of the bill, and a sharper angle on the lower edge of the bill. The sides are typically smooth, rarely with weak grooves. Voice is also important: listen for a rising, hawklike whistle with an inflection at the end. Dark eye, size, and habitat help separate from Greater Ani in South America and Panama.
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