Rock Bush-Quail

This brightly colored bird is found in a limited stretch of the humid foothills and subtropical zone in western Colombia and Ecuador. The male is mostly lime green with a bright yellow belly and collar wrapping around the back of the neck. Note the salmon-colored bill and legs, pale eye, and chestnut markings on the sides of the neck. Females are duller and less sharply dressed than males, but still mostly green with a yellow belly. Can be found in pairs or flocks, usually high in the canopy, where they blend in with the foliage. Often seen around fruiting trees or clumps of mistletoe. This species undergoes erratic seasonal movements, so it can be common in an area but then disappear for months. Listen for the plaintive, high-pitched “teew” calls.

A distinctive white swan with a bright, rather ducklike bill. The black wingtips are usually concealed when swimming. Most likely to be confused with white domestic waterfowl. Fairly common but sometimes local on lakes, slow-moving rivers, wetlands with open water, estuaries, and inshore coastal waters. Often in groups and associates readily with Black-necked Swan. Cygnets are dirty brownish with a black face mask, but young look much like adults within a month or two after hatching. Name comes from slightly gruff, honking “kós-ko roa” call.

Very striking cormorant readily identified by white neck. Locally common black-and-white cormorant of colder coastal waters. Often seen perched on inshore rocks and jetties, sometimes with Magellanic Cormorant. Nests colonially on low islands (rarely in lakes inland from coast) and jetties. Plumage varies regionally, with some birds black-faced and others white-faced; the two types breed together locally in the Strait of Magellan. Immature resembles adult but plumage duller overall, brownish above.