Rufous-winged Sunbird

Bizarre nocturnal heron of mangroves and freshwater marshes in tropical lowlands; spends the daytime roosting in trees, often in loose groups. Comes out at night to feed along the edge of lakes and rivers. Easily identified by huge ‘boat bill’ and big brown eyes. Adult has black crown, pinkish breast, and silvery gray back; immature pattern similar, but plumage duller and browner overall.

This stunning cotinga is found only from extreme eastern Panama to northwest Ecuador. Males are unmistakable in range: entirely snowy white with a reddish eye and tiny black spots on the wingtips and tail. Females are gray with white edges on the wing feathers. Note chunky shape and short square tail. Occurs singly or in pairs, usually perched in the canopy of mature forest in lowlands and foothills, sometimes around a fruiting tree. Flies with deep rowing wingbeats.

A medium-sized bird of open habitats; often found singly or in pairs feeding on the ground. Its body and tail are largely barred mustard yellow and black. The Northern Flicker is very similar in size and shape, but it has a black crescent across its chest and a spotted belly, and in flight, an obvious white rump unlike Fernandina’s Flicker. Calls include a squeaky sputtering “chee-uh-uh-uh-uh…” and a rhythmic “ka-flick, ka-flick, ka-flick…”