Golden-tufted Grackle
Macroagelaius imthurni
A medium-sized blackbird of tepui highland forests. Adults are entirely black except for yellow tufts at bend of wing; young birds are dull blackish-gray and lack the tufts. Noisy groups range through montane forest canopy and along savanna edges, probing flowers, leaf bases, and bark crevices; may pause to loaf, preen, and call for extended periods. Makes a variety of squeaking and chuckling calls, many with a strongly metallic quality, unlike any other bird in tepui highlands. Epaulet Oriole is also black and yellow, but note grackle’s yellow pectoral tufts (not shoulders), stockier build, thicker bill, and tendency to occur in single-species flocks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Macroagelaius imthurni
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1881)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Macroagelaius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chucao Tapaculo
Scelorchilus rubecula
Fairly common to common in native temperate forest, adjacent shrubbery, wooded patches, and thickets along rivers and streams, especially with bamboo. Loud ringing song is commonly heard, but calling birds can be elusive. At other times can be confiding, walking out at close range as if curious, usually with tail cocked. Plumage distinctive, with bright rusty eyebrow, throat, and breast. Compare with the larger and fatter Chestnut-throated Huet-huet.
Olive-backed Tanager
Mitrospingus oleagineus
A bulky bird of tepui highlands, often encountered in groups. Unlikely to be confused within its limited range; plumage mostly coppery-olive (may tend toward yellow in sunlight) with a contrasting gray face and throat. Stout bill is silvery gray. Occurs in canopy of tepui highland forest, generally above 800 m, where groups forage noisily through vegetation, probing into epiphytes and dead leaves and hopping clumsily along branches, eating whatever is in their path. Frequents fruiting trees, and may join mixed-species flocks but are just as likely to be found away from them. Most typical call is a dreadful high-pitched screech, modulated as if the bird is being squeezed, and sounding quite literally like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Red-billed Curassow
Crax blumenbachii
Very large terrestrial species. Males are mostly black with a curly crest and a white belly and vent. Note the red bill knob with a small wattle. Females have black-and-chestnut bars on their wings and a rufous belly. Inhabits humid primary forests with dense understory where it normally forages in pair or small family groups.
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