African Golden Oriole

Small oceanic gull. Adults have solid black wingtips that look like they were dipped in ink. Also note translucent flight feathers, entirely yellow bill, and black legs. Nonbreeding birds have a dark ear patch and smudgy gray on the back of the neck. Immatures are boldly patterned with a black collar and “M” pattern on wings. Rather buoyant in flight, sometimes soaring in high arcs in windy conditions. Breeds at high latitudes across the Northern Hemisphere, primarily in large colonies on cliffs and other structures overhanging water. Spends the winter on the open ocean, sometimes seen from shore. Rare inland. Can gather in flocks during migration and winter, especially where food is abundant.

Scarce tanager found only in wet lowland and foothill rainforest in northwestern Ecuador and western Colombia. Fabulous male is unlike any other South American bird: he has glowing red plumage with white sides and slightly darker wings. Female is rather drab and confusing. She is best identified by her white sides that contrast slightly with her olive back, yellowish belly, and buffy breast. Forages in middle to upper levels of the forest, and sometimes joins mixed-species flocks.

Small, attractive tanager; bright crimson and black with a black mask and silver bill. Most commonly found in vegetation around oxbow lakes, also sometimes found in nearby forests and along rivers. Sexes similar though females are slightly duller than males. Extensive crimson and black mask easily distinguish this species from other tanagers within its range.