Taiwan Bullfinch

A slender, long-tailed bird of dense gallery forests and river islands in northern Brazil and extreme southwestern Guyana. Male is mostly black with tail feathers tipped white and with white scalloping on wings. Female is very different: brownish-gray above and buffy below, with a black tail and white throat streaked black. Like other Cercomacra, tends to stay concealed in dense vine tangles in the canopy and midstory, where it clambers slowly about, usually in pairs, searching for insects. Best detected by voice; two-noted song is given in series of 3–5 phrases, with hiccupping effect; similar to song of Gray Antbird but higher-pitched, faster, and less hoarse. Female is unlike any other species in range. Male is darker than Gray and Blackish antbirds, which do not occur in the same habitat and have different voices. Plumage recalls Dot-winged Antwren, but Rio Branco Antbird is considerably larger.

Spectacular and conspicuous black-and-yellow bird of tropical lowlands in west Mexico. Favors deciduous forest and edges, plantations, and hedges with tall trees; often in towns and villages, especially near streams and rivers. Usually in flocks, moving through the canopy to feed at flowering and fruiting trees, but also feeds readily on the ground; often associates with flocks of jays. No similar species in range. Note the raised crest that flares up like a floppy fountain spray.

Dark, rusty-brown bird of shady forest floors in humid evergreen forest of tropical foothills and highlands; often near gullies and streambeds, where digs its nest burrow into earth banks. Feeds by tossing leaves on the forest floor. Mostly seen as it flushes, when it flies off with loud “skweek” calls. Note the long slender bill, rich rusty throat and breast, and dark rusty rump. Listen for descending series of squeaky whistles. Widespread across much of South America, to southeast Brazil.