Green Shrike-Vireo

Medium-sized, stocky parrot that is distinctive even under poor lighting conditions; note black cap and contrasting white-and-yellow pattern on face, breast, and belly. Common in a variety of forest types, especially those on sandy soils. Usually seen in groups of 4-5 or more. Groups forage quietly on fruit and flowers in forest canopy, flushing noisily with distinctive whirring wingbeats that are audible at some distance. Flight call is a penetrating screech, somewhat similar to Red-fan Parrot but higher-pitched and less variable.

A forest skulker with clean-cut pale underparts, a gray wash on the side of the breast and face, and rusty brown upperparts and central crown. The tail has distinctive white tips to the outer feathers. Juvenile is heavily spotted above. A shy and inconspicuous resident in the dense understory of lowland and mid-altitude forest up to 1500 meters, found singly and in pairs; several individuals may follow ant swarms, where they lose their fear of humans. Sings a loud musical 3–4 note “whooo-wheet-whooee” and similar melodic notes; also gives harsh “chht” calls.   

A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest understory and edge with a very long curved bill. Has a preference for banana plants. Olive-green above, whitish to pale gray from the throat to the upper belly, and yellow on the lower belly and under the base of the tail. Note the small orange tufts on the sides. Voice includes a repeated “sweet-sweet-sweet!” or dry “tyup!”