Cabanis's Greenbul
Phyllastrephus cabanisi
Typically dull mid-sized greenbul with a long bill and tail. There is geographical variation, with the western birds more yellowish below, and the eastern birds more whitish. Usually shows a distinctive pale eye-ring. Found in the thick undergrowth and mid-story of forest at middle and high elevations, usually in small groups. The call starts with slow and chatty notes, then accelerates into a grating, up-and-down series. Somewhat similar to Gray-olive Greenbul, but larger, with a darker bill and legs and usually some yellowish tones on the underparts. Similar to brownbuls, but more olive-green on the back and yellowish below.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phyllastrephus cabanisi
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Phyllastrephus
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-thighed Swallow
Atticora tibialis
Small dark brown swallow found in lowlands and foothills. Namesake white thighs are very difficult to see; instead focus on the overall darkness with little contrast. Rump is slightly paler but does not stand out nearly as much as on Southern Rough-winged Swallow. Small flocks are usually found near forest, though sometimes found feeding over adjacent open areas.
Chestnut Antpitta
Grallaria blakei
Plain antpitta restricted to cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes in northern Peru. Mostly chestnut-brown; very similar to Graves’s Antpitta, but lacks a distinct eyering and has a different voice. Inhabits dense understory, where it is typically very hard to see; usually stays on the ground unless singing. Some lodges have feeding stations, making it much easier to find. Song is a fast, whistled trill lasting a few seconds.
Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Large, lanky blackbird with rounded crown and long tail. Males have ridiculously long tails, almost as long as their body, often held in a V-shape like the keel of boat. Males are glossy black. Females are brown, with subtle face pattern. Eye color ranges from brown along western Gulf Coast to yellow on Atlantic Coast. Strictly coastal, except in Florida where they occur inland (often around human development). Overlaps with similar Great-tailed Grackle on Texas coast, but occurs more strictly in coastal saltmarshes and has dark eye (not pale).
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