Russet-backed Oropendola
Psarocolius angustifrons
A medium-sized oropendola; fairly common in lowlands but seems to be scarce in montane forest. Can occur up to around 2,500m in the Andes, where it is usually the only oropendola and unlikely to be confused. Generally olive overall with warmer rufous tones on back and rump. Variable bill color: dark blackish in the Amazonian lowlands; usually yellowish in Andes. Yellow outer tail feathers like other oropendolas. Typically in flocks that forage in the canopy, sometimes in mixed flocks with other oropendolas or caciques.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psarocolius angustifrons
- Authority
- (Spix, 1824)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Icteridae
- Genus
- Psarocolius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-rumped Swallow
Tachycineta leucorrhoa
A small swallow usually seen flying low over open and semiopen areas near water. Glossy blue-green above and white below. Note the white forehead and rump. Similar to White-winged Swallow, but lacks white in wings (although juvenile White-winged can show limited white). Told from Chilean Swallow by the presence of a white forehead.
Rosy-patched Bushshrike
Rhodophoneus cruentus
An unusually colored sandy-brown bushshrike. There is both sexual and geographical variation in the pattern of the underparts. The throat can be white or rose, and there is sometimes a black breast patch and throat border. Both sexes always show some rose on the underparts, plus a rosy patch on the back. Found in pairs in dry savanna and thornscrub. The distinctive song consists of high-pitched, off-key whistles, which are usually delivered in a simple duet.
Plain-throated Antwren
Isleria hauxwelli
Small, short-tailed antwren of rainforest understory. Forages low to the ground in undergrowth of mature rainforest, often around tree fall gaps. Males are even gray with white spots on the wings and tail; females are brown above and reddish buff below with tan spots on the wings and tail. Listen for a slightly accelerating series of raspy, rising whistles given at a pace of about one note every second.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.