Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo
Surniculus dicruroides
Glossy small black cuckoo with a forked tail. Juvenile has a galaxy-like smattering of white spots all over the body. Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo has a less prominently-forked tail; note less difference in length of outermost tail feathers. Adults may be confused with drongos, but are lighter-billed and smaller, with distinctly white-barred undertail. Widespread, found in forests and scrubby plains from lowlands up into foothills and mountainous areas, but much more often heard than seen, typically sitting still in the middle and upper levels of forest; song is an extremely loud ascending series of whistles. Lays its eggs in the nests of babblers, bulbuls, and shrikes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Surniculus dicruroides
- Authority
- (Hodgson, 1839)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Surniculus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Cassin's Sparrow
Peucaea cassinii
Dull sparrow lacking distinctive patterns. Found in grasslands with scattered bushes. Generally grayish-brown with barely noticeable blurry streaks on breast and sides, thin white eyering, and pale edges on wing feathers. Back is patterned with rufous and black. Very diffuse head pattern. Most similar to Botteri's Sparrow; where range overlaps, look for Cassin's smaller bill, thin white eyering, and voice. Gives a pleasant musical song; a few varied notes followed by four whistles on different pitches "see-soo, see-say."
Blue-necked Tanager
Stilpnia cyanicollis
Small and striking tanager, looks mostly black with shining blue head and straw-colored shoulder. Sexes alike. Most similar to Masked Tanager, but has dark (not white) belly and shoulder is buffier. Quite common in Andean foothills, with a disjunct population in Brazilian lowlands. Usually found in pairs or small groups, often following a mixed-species flock through the canopy. Occurs in forests, edges, and gardens. Visits fruit feeders.
Wing-banded Antbird
Myrmornis torquata
Rare and local, but fairly widespread from Honduras to Brazil. It has an unmistakable dumpy shape with a short tail and short legs. Brown above and gray below with richer rusty rump and blackish wings with obvious buffy wingbars. Male has a black throat, orange on female, both bordered by scaly pattern on cheek and neck sides. Note large booked bill. Occurs singly or in pairs on the ground within lowland forest, often in hilly areas. Flips over leaves when foraging. Listen for purring calls and a loud series of whistled notes.
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