Ivory-backed Woodswallow

A medium-sized oropendola; fairly common in lowlands but seems to be scarce in montane forest. Can occur up to around 2,500m in the Andes, where it is usually the only oropendola and unlikely to be confused. Generally olive overall with warmer rufous tones on back and rump. Variable bill color: dark blackish in the Amazonian lowlands; usually yellowish in Andes. Yellow outer tail feathers like other oropendolas. Typically in flocks that forage in the canopy, sometimes in mixed flocks with other oropendolas or caciques.

A long-tailed, slender songbird with fine bill. Males rich blue-gray above, white below, with a blue-gray bib with convex lower edge (curves upward at the edges). Crown paler than throat, lending male a bearded appearance in optimal light. Male Satin Flycatcher has uniformly dark head, blackish (not grayish) tail feathers, and concave bib edge. Female paler blue-gray above, with pale orange throat and breast. Inhabits varied woodlands, perches high in the canopy, often shakes the tail rapidly. Song a repeated two-note whistle; call a loud buzzing “zerp.”

A medium-sized bird of lowland forest canopy. Blue-gray plumage with darker wings and tail, and slightly paler head. Male has a black face. Similar to male Common and Gray-headed, plus female Papuan and Black-bellied Cicadabirds, but Boyer’s has a paler head, stubbier bill and rufous underwings. Also similar to Stout-billed Cuckooshrike, but much smaller and shorter-tailed. Voice, long, piercing, nasal “kiiieeeuuu!”, which can be either upslurred or downslurred.