Green Manakin

A small dark bird that creeps around mossy forest understory, frequently hanging upside-down like a nuthatch. Overall dark brown with warm buffy throat and spotting down the chest. Sexes alike. Combination of dark plumage, behavior, and spotting render this species distinctive. Found singly or in pairs, often following a mixed flock through the forest. Listen for its fast, descending, tinkling trill.

An oddly-shaped wren famous for its unique song, which consists of rich, fluting notes intermixed with chirps and rattles. Ranges widely in lowland and foothill rainforest in northern South America, but not found west of the Andes. It is brown with a chestnut throat and breast, and dense barring on wings and tail. There is much regional variation; in parts of its range, it has white streaking on the neck, a white line behind the eye, and/or a whitish to pale bluish eyering. Found alone or in pairs that stay on or near the ground, and can be challenging to see. It is known as “Uirapuru” in Brazil, where it has been celebrated in music, poetry, and even legends.

Odd, all-black swallow with a long forked tail. Shows geographical variation: most have a dark underwing, but in some areas, there is a white or pale gray patch on the front of the underwing. Found in and over forest, plantations, and thick woodland. Usually seen in flight or perched on a dead tree. Has an odd, weak flight style that is different from that of a typical swallow. Similar to White-headed Sawwing, but has an all-dark head and a longer tail.