Mayr's Swiftlet

Stout shama with a broad, black-tipped, orangish tail. Male has a dark gray upper body, small white eyebrow, and orangish rump and belly. Female is more brownish above, with paler but more extensive orangish coloration on the breast and belly. Found in lowland and foothill regions, where it favors primary forest; less tolerant of disturbed or secondary forest than other shamas. Often forages close to or on the forest floor, as well as in trees. Song is a series of haunting, melodic whistles.

Handsome and eye-catching bird that is fairly common in grassland, steppe, matorral, farmland, and even town parks with grassy areas. Feeds mainly on the ground, at times in small groups, but male sings from prominent perches and in flight. Male has a bright red breast, long pointed bill, and white eyebrow. Female has much less red below, but note size and shape, and pale eyebrow. No similar species in its Chilean range, but in Argentina compare with Pampas Meadowlark.

Gray-brown swiftlet with a pale gray rump and a squared-off tail. The westernmost ranging species in the genus and the only member throughout much of its range. Smaller than most other swifts in range except for House Swift, which is black overall with a sharp white rump and throat. Tends to travel in small to medium-sized flocks, often swooping low over bodies of water. Builds dark bowl-shaped nests in closely-clustered colonies under rocky overhangs, in caves, and in old buildings. Gives clicking calls and twitters, especially when near colonies.