Brown-bellied Swallow

Orochelidon murina

A rather dark swallow of the Andean highlands from Venezuela to Bolivia. Head and back are dark iridescent blue. Throat and belly are dusty grayish-brown. Tail is relatively long with a deep fork. Flocks are found over forest and clearings, especially around nesting sites on cliffs and landslides. Occurs from 2,500-4,000m, often higher than Blue-and-white Swallow but plenty of overlap.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Orochelidon murina
Authority
(Cassin, 1853)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Hirundinidae
Genus
Orochelidon

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Green Woodhoopoe

Green Woodhoopoe

Phoeniculus purpureus

An elongated, metallic-green-black bird with red feet and a long, decurved, red-orange bill. Juveniles have dark bills but are often in the company of adults. It flies heavily, with the long floppy, white-tipped tail dangling behind. Pairs and groups of up to 14 birds are highly social, occupying savanna, woodland, riverine forest, and gardens, where they nest and roost in natural cavities. Clambers in trees, probing bark and crevices for insects and small vertebrates. They communicate using a strong cackling chatter that sounds maniacal. The almost identical Grant’s and Violet woodhoopoes (with which it sometimes hybridizes) differ from Green Woodhoopoe only by having a coppery-purple (not glossy greenish) metallic sheen.

Great Dusky Swift

Great Dusky Swift

Cypseloides senex

Large swift with uniform cold brown plumage with a pale face. Similar to Sooty Swift, but is larger and paler. Most often seen close to waterfalls where they roost and nest, often gathering in huge groups. Forages widely over a variety of habitats.

Planalto Slaty-Antshrike

Planalto Slaty-Antshrike

Thamnophilus pelzelni

Small antshrike found in the lower and middle levels of dry forests and at the edge of humid forests. Males are gray overall with a black crown, and white-spotted black wings and tail. Females have a rusty crown, back, and tail, are buff below with white spots on the wings. The song is a loud and long series of around 20 descending notes that accelerate in pace. Doesn’t overlap in range with similar Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike and is told from Variable Antshrike by paler gray plumage in males and richer rufous color in females.

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