Spillmann's Tapaculo

A small, dumpy sparrow-like weaver. The breeding male is a mix of velvety vermilion and black; the narrow black forecrown is diagnostic. The female and non-breeding male are nondescript, with a short tail and strong buff eyebrow, and are difficult to tell apart from other bishops. Pairs and small flocks are always close to water when breeding, and mixed-species colonies occur in reedbeds and swampy grassland, but they disperse into adjacent scrub in the non-breeding season, often in flocks. The song is an extended fizzling sizzle. Breeding males of other red bishop species either have no black forehead, or have a much more extensive black crown.

Distinctive streaky brown bird of riverine habitats of the Orinoco Delta. Most of body brown with buffy streaks (tear-shaped on underparts). Rich chestnut on chin, wings, rump, and tail. Sexes similar. Locally common and often in pairs, found from understory to canopy in riverine forest where often climbs trunks like a woodcreeper. Voice is an explosive group of short notes, mostly in duet. Similar to Orinoco Softtail (no range overlap), which is less streaked and has a buff eyebrow; Rusty-backed Spinetail is unstreaked. Endemic to the Orinoco River of northeastern Venezuela.

A large weaver with a long, thin pointed bill. The male has a pale eye, and during the breeding season a brownish wash to the face. The female has a brown eye and an olive-brown belly. The species occupies open country, where it often breeds in mixed-species colonies over water or in large isolated trees. The chattering and rasping song is long and complex. The smaller Southern Brown-throated Weaver has a chunkier bill than Cape Weaver; its male has a better defined brown throat and its female has a white belly. African Golden-Weaver has reddish eyes, and Holub’s Golden-Weaver has an unstreaked yellowish back.