Bismarck Cicadabird

A strange greenish bird with a limited distribution from Panama to northwest Ecuador. Dull olive overall, slightly brighter yellow on the throat and upper breast. It also has a concealed yellow crown patch, but it is difficult to see. The bill is notably broad and subtly hooked at the tip. Somewhat large-headed and front-heavy. Despite its dull plumage, this species is relatively distinctive within its range. Compare with Green Manakin, which is more compact and slightly shorter-tailed than Sapayoa. Voice is also helpful: listen for Sapayoa’s “teew, teew” calls and its soft trilled chatter. Found in the understory of mature lowland forest, singly, in pairs, or in small groups, often following mixed-species flocks. Interestingly, this species has no close relatives in the Americas; it is most closely related to Asian broadbills.

Rather long-tailed antbird of humid forest understory in Amazonian lowlands in Brazil, from the Rio Tapajós to the Rio Xingú. Usually stays hidden in dense vegetation and thickets, sometimes attending army antswarms. Male is black; female is rufous-brown overall with a darker head. Both sexes have ruby-red eyes and a white patch on the back that is usually hidden; it is exposed when the bird is excited such as when defending its territory. Song is a very fast series of short whistles.

Well-named, the common roadside hawk in tropical lowlands of East Mexico and Central and South America. Often seen on wires, phone poles, posts out in fields. Adult has staring pale eyes, streaked breast contrasting with barred belly. Immature streaked below, much like many other immature hawks, but its tail has broad and fairly even bands. Flies with rather quick, stiff wingbeats, recalling a Red-shouldered Hawk or an Accipiter; noisy flight display mainly in late winter-spring.