Brown-breasted Bulbul

The largest jacamar is glistening emerald-green above and orange below with a thick black bill. Sexes generally similar; males have entirely green throat and inconspicuous white collar, females have orange throat. Size and bill shape could recall a motmot more than a jacamar, but no motmot combines green head and orange belly. Singles or pairs are typically uncommon to rare in lowland forests, up to around 600 m. They typically perch in the middle to upper levels, and can be quite vocal. Listen for the long descending whistle with a noticeable break in pitch near the beginning, as well as various strange noises that sound like a very angry cat.

This small black-headed gull breeds on scattered saline lakes throughout central and northern Asia, as far east as Mongolia and northeastern China. However, it is seldom seen on its breeding grounds due to their remoteness. It winters in estuaries, beaches, and mudflats, where adults shed their handsome dark hoods for smudgy “earmuffs.” First winter birds are similar, but have light brown speckling on the wings (solid gray in adults, save for black-and-white tips). Stubbier-billed than Black-headed Gull and generally paler-headed than Saunders's Gull.

A garish scarlet bird sporting a dramatic spiky crest and a hefty gray bill. Male overall brilliant red with black chin; female brown, gray-headed, with red crest and tail. Often found in pairs, perched in erect posture on the top of bushes or on exposed branches. Common in desert scrub and dry forests in the lowlands. Voice a melodious and slow whistled series. Unmistakable in arid regions of northern Venezuela and extreme northeastern Colombia.