Black-nest Swiftlet

Aerodramus maximus

A small dark Aerodramus swiftlet that is nearly impossible to distinguish from closely-related species such as Mossy-nest and White-nest Swiftlets. Dark above and paler gray below; rump varies from dirty white to dark depending on subspecies. Tail averages more squared-off and less prominently forked than White-nest and Germain’s swiftlets, but best identified when on feather-and-saliva nests, which are dark, as the name suggests. Nests in large colonies in caves, often with other species of swiftlet. Chitters at nest, but usually fairly quiet.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Aerodramus maximus
Authority
(Hume, 1878)
Order
Caprimulgiformes
Family
Apodidae
Genus
Aerodramus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Lita Woodpecker

Lita Woodpecker

Piculus litae

Scarce, yellow-faced woodpecker of lowland and foothill rainforest in western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Both sexes have olive upperparts, strongly barred or scaled underparts, and red wing patch. Male has red crown and mustache stripe; female has little or no red on head. No overlap with the similar White-throated Woodpecker. Forages at middle to upper levels of the forest, sometimes with mixed-species flocks. Call is a harsh scream.

Bahia Wagtail-Tyrant

Bahia Wagtail-Tyrant

Stigmatura bahiae

Small, slender, and long-tailed bird found in dry caatinga scrub in eastern Brazil. It has grayish brown upperparts, buffy-yellow underparts and eyebrow, and conspicuous white patches in the wings and tail. Very similar to Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, but slightly smaller and tends to have duller yellow underparts and browner upperparts. Even their voices are similar, with both species giving rollicking series of rattling trills, often as a duet. Bahia Wagtail-Tyrant’s song sounds less dry and buzzy and includes more clear, whistled notes. Recently split from Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, which is restricted to river islands in the Amazon basin.

Chilean Flamingo

Chilean Flamingo

Phoenicopterus chilensis

Widespread and often numerous; found at shallow lakes and lagoons from the high Andes to Patagonian steppe and even in coastal waters. Adult is distinctive: pale pink with a salmon-pink “bustle” and grayish legs with red feet and “knees.” Immature often obviously smaller than adult, but has longer bill “hook” than the smaller and shorter-legged James’s Flamingo. Chilean Flamingo lacks the clean-cut black triangle on closed wings seen on Andean Flamingo. Far-carrying calls can suggest honking of geese.

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