Damara Tern

A small and virtually tailless warbler with a gray back and pale underparts washed with yellow. Note the pale eyebrow and the dark cheek patch. Found locally in dry thorn savanna and thornscrub. Similar to Yellow-bellied and Yellow-vented Eremomelas, but has duller yellow underparts and a shorter tail. Reminiscent of Somali Crombec, but has a shorter bill. The song consists of quick chatty notes. 

Brightly-colored swallow with a deeply forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, and an incomplete orange collar. The underparts are always streaked, though there is geographical variation, with streaks ranging from fine and sparse to thick and heavy. Juveniles average paler and lack extensive orangish tones; may resemble house-martins but note deeply forked tail. Builds mud nests on mountains, cliffs, and on human structures. Forages over open areas. Frequently gives a short, sparrow-like “twi’wit.” Usually separated from European Red-rumped Swallow by range, but in case of any overlap, should be separated by evenly cinnamon rump (vs. bicolored), dark lores, dark stripe on nape, and bolder streaking on underparts.

This pigeon is found in the Choco region of western Colombia and Ecuador. It is fairly dull grayish-brown overall, especially gray on the head and breast with a warmer reddish tone on the nape. Compare with Ruddy Pigeon, which is typically brighter reddish on the head and breast. Most easily distinguished by voice. Dusky sings a three-note song, with a higher, longer first note followed by two shorter clipped notes: “WHOOO, whoop, whoop!” Also gives a growling call similar to other pigeons. Occurs in lowlands and foothills up to around 1,500 m. Can be fairly common, especially by voice, but sometimes is difficult to spot in the canopy.