Bronze-green Euphonia

A rather plain thornbird with a long tail and a dark gray eye. Nondescript; look for the cinnamon-tinged forehead and slightly warmer brown flanks and tail. Found in open areas with scattered trees and savannas; avoids the forest interior. Tends to be very vocal, often singing a squeaky, chattering duet. Look for its enormous stick nests usually located in isolated trees where they hang suspended at the end of branches. Occurs in northern Venezuela and Colombia.

Small multicolored toucan with an olive-green back, bare blue skin around the eyes, a red vent, and a chestnut-tipped green tail. The bill is grayish with three black bars. Males have a black head and breast, brown in females. Found in the canopy of humid forests and second growth.

Male unmistakable: golden-yellow with black wings and tail; female and immature greenish yellow overall with dusky wings and variable, fine dark streaking below; note powerful-looking reddish-pink bill in all plumages (dullest in immature). Favors deciduous and mixed woodland and parks, especially with tall leafy trees; can wind up in more open habitats on migration. Shy and difficult to see well, despite bright colors. Tends to remain well hidden in foliage, and flies quickly and easily over long distances. Listen for beautiful, fluid, musical song and rough, corvid-like calls.