Southern Bentbill

Large, stout-billed woodcreeper of tall rainforest in southeastern Amazonia. Plumage entirely rufous-brown with no barring or streaking; note thick dusky-reddish bill, plain face, and brownish throat (not contrastingly white). Found in tall rainforest as well as slightly lower-stature forests on sandy soils; generally less common than other large woodcreepers. Climbs along tree trunks and large branches at middle and upper levels, probing bark crevices for insects and small vertebrates; occasionally follows army ant swarms to capture animals fleeing up tree trunks. Heard more often than seen. Song, given mainly at dawn, is a far-carrying, hoarse whistle repeated 3–4 times, very unlike other woodcreepers. Amazonian Barred-Woodcreeper, which also has a reddish bill, may occur with Uniform at ant swarms and be mistaken for it in dim understory light; note Uniform’s stouter bill and plainer plumage.

Beautifully-colored bulbul-sized bird which manages to vanish into the green foliage. Orange forehead is diagnostic. Unlike several other leafbird species, sexes are similar. Inhabits lowland and foothill forested areas, where it forages predominantly in the canopy. Often gathers at fruiting or flowering trees. Exuberant warbling song has a distinctly scratchy quality. Calls include a fluid-sounding double note and various cheeps and rasping notes.

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.