Greater Black Coucal

A grayish riverine spinetail with rufous crown and shoulders. Known from only a few sites but locally common, alone or in pairs, mostly in young riverine successional vegetation (especially dense scrub) on sedimentary islands in the Orinoco River. Sexes similar. Easy to find by voice, a rattling series “quip, pip-pip-pip-pip” ending in a trill “prrr”. Very similar to Pale-breasted Spinetail, but differs in grayish body, less contrasting rufous patches, different voice, and river island specialization. Endemic to the Orinoco River of Venezuela.

Very similar to Yunnan, David’s, and other “gray-cheeked” fulvettas, but with a more pronounced pale eye-ring and black brow stripe, as well as warmer sepia tones on the wings and a white chin. Inhabits foothill to highland forests and edges, where it roves around in flocks, foraging in the middle and lower levels. Call notes are composed of buzzy chatters. Song is a short series of rather harsh notes, similar to that of the other “gray-cheeked” fulvettas, but averaging slower.

Unique-looking brown laughingthrush with an inky-black hood, a contrasting white collar, and a broad pale crescent behind the eye. Sociable and garrulous, flocks give loud cackling, rasping, and rattling calls as they move through the lower and middle levels of a forest, often with over species. Inhabits hill and mountain forests.