Black-eared Cuckoo

A small, brown bird of rainforest canopy. Note upturned mandible, white whisker mark, and pale streaking on underparts and back. Follows mixed-species flocks in the canopy but is rarely encountered. Bores into dead twigs and vines for insects, and may climb briefly on larger branches to probe bark crevices. Song is 4–6 high notes, dropping slightly in pitch at end; delivered forcefully but with a thin quality and thus easily overlooked. In central and western Amazonia, compare with very similar Streaked Xenops, from which it is best separated by Slender-billed’s slower song. Readily distinguished from Rufous-tailed Xenops by prominent white whisker streak.

Elegant, long-tailed endemic songbird with a unique tufted white cheek. Gray overall, with darker wings and pale orange belly. White in wing and tail tips most apparent in flight. Typically inhabits montane forests but descends into foothills and lowlands at times. Often seen congregating in large numbers at flowering or fruiting trees; usually in smaller flocks otherwise. Song comprised of a series of quick whistled bursts followed by a longer, more drawn-out note.

Large, long-tailed, long-billed, dull-olive tetraka. Madagascar endemic that is found in rainforest, dry deciduous forest, and locally in spiny forest. Prefers the mid-story, and often joins mixed flocks with tetrakas and other birds. Song is a fairly musical phrase of up-and-down whistles. Call is a rough “trek-trak”. Separated from tetrakas by its larger size and its longer bill and tail. Doesn’t have the pale eye-ring of Spectacled Tetraka or the gray head of Gray-crowned Tetraka. Much more olive-colored than brush-warblers.