Maroon Woodpecker

Large, turkey-like bird found only in the forests of northern Trinidad. It is black with white patches on the wings and crown, a light blue face, and an azure dewlap (flap of bare skin) that dangles from its throat. It is usually seen high in the trees, but on rare occasions can descend to the ground. Song is a series of drawn out, rising whistles, and it also sometimes rattles its wings loudly in flight. Locally known as “pawi”, this impressive bird is highly endangered due to hunting, and is regularly seen in only a few places, such as near the town of Grand Riviere.

Attractive and easy to identify, this plump little flycatcher is often seen perched conspicuously in forest clearings or along the roadside. Look for a yellowish bird with a gray head, obvious white “headlights,” brown or rufous tail, and a bold lemon-yellow rump. Fairly common in the foothills and subtropical zone, usually perched fairly low. Frequently sallies out from its perch to grab an insect; the yellow rump is particularly obvious. Listen for the emphatic “pit!" call.

A fairly common cloud forest tapaculo found in the eastern Andes of northern and central Peru. Adult is gray with brown bars on the lower underparts. Young birds are browner and extensively marked with buff bars and scales. Similar to Trilling Tapaculo and Junin Tapaculo, and identification should be based on range and voice. Rufous-vented Tapaculo gives sharp chips and low frog-like notes, either alone or in an accelerating series. Inhabits forest understory and usually tough to see.