Gray-rumped Swallow

A large, long-tailed, thick-billed bird, entirely dark bluish-black, with pale skin around a red eye. Found in most habitats, most commonly in old-growth lowland forest. Often flushed from trackside vegetation. Otherwise inconspicuous, but regularly feeds on the ground. Similar in appearance to Pacific Koel, but significantly larger, with a dark gray instead of ivory-colored bill. Unlikely to be confused. Vocally similar to other coucals, most commonly giving a confused series of hollow booming and barking notes.

Small, long-tailed bird with a pale head. Light brown, with reddish tail and shoulder patch and pale crown and throat. Found in semi-humid shrubby areas at high elevations, especially along streams, where it forages singly or in pairs low in dense vegetation. Listen for its squeaky song, a choppy, accelerating series of high notes.

Handsome and distinctive dabbling duck of the high Andes. Note the black cap, bright pale creamy cheeks, and powder-blue bill. Like most South American dabbling ducks (but unlike most Northern Hemisphere species), sexes look similar year-round, although male on average is brighter and more boldly patterned. Often fairly common on bogs, lakes, and other wetlands, especially with reeds and other emergent vegetation. The smaller and duller Silver Teal occurs in lowlands, not the high Andes.