Pink-billed Lark

A large greenbul often found close to the ground in areas with large trees and open understory, and occasionally in forest edge and other more open habitats. Largely olive-green above and greenish-yellow below with a yellow throat, bright blue facial skin around the eye, a large, angular, laterally compressed bill, and a long red tail. Song is a haunting, resonant series of descending whistles, “WHUUUR-WHUUR-WHUUR-WHUR,” with each note often quavering.

Large and lanky, but heard much more often than seen. Widespread in tropical forest, ranging into semi-open areas with larger trees; in West Mexico it even occurs up into pine-oak forest high in the mountains. Hunts from canopy to forest floor, but usually calls from high in trees. Note the long yellow legs and long rounded tail with narrow white bars. Adults are usually white below, with dark ‘sideburns,’ but can be buffy below, and very rarely are black overall. Immatures have variable dark barring below.

This unmistakable long-winged flycatcher is widespread (though rarely very numerous) throughout much of South America. As the name implies it occurs around cliffs, landslides, and even buildings. Medium size, warm rufous coloration (brightest on the wings), and habitat are distinctive. Some variation across range, with birds in the Andes having more whitish speckling on the face. Compare with Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, which is larger and has a streaked throat. Usually seen singly or in pairs, perched conspicuously on a snag, rock face, powerline, or building.