El Oro Parakeet

A very distinctive black-and-white swallow of arid inland Australia. Prominent white upper back, with black belly and black strongly forked tail. Nests in earthen banks, including road cuts and river banks. Usually seen in small flocks. Compare Fairy and Tree Martins, which have pale rump rather than upper back, and Welcome Swallow, which has a completely dark back. Call is a clipped "chik."

Rare cacique found very locally in lowland forest in southeastern Peru and extreme SW Brazil, especially near forest-fringed lakes and rivers. Note yellow rump and pale blue eye, which separate it from Solitary Black Cacique. Told from Yellow-rumped Cacique by the yellow being limited to the rump in Selva. No overlap with the closely related Ecuadorian Cacique. It has a varied vocal repertoire, with whistles, metallic squeaks, and various buzzing notes, among other calls.

Dark brown night bird of humid forest in lowlands and foothills. Choco refers to its geographical range in western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. White spots on wings are usually only seen when perched. In flight, wings typically show no markings at all, unlike other nightjars in the region. Tail is narrowly tipped white. Inhabits rainforest interior and is heard far more often than seen. Song is a rising series of three or four burry whistles; when there are only three, it can be transcribed as “can’t see ME!”