Luapula Cisticola

A distinctive large waterbird between the size of a large duck and a goose. Nocturnal; roosts during day in mangroves, wooded ponds and marshes and feeds primarily at night. Generally scarce and typically somewhat secretive, particularly where hunting of this species is allowed. Call is loud shrill whistle: “pip-pip-pip-weeeeeaaaa” usually given when agitated or in flight. Similar Fulvous Whistling-Duck is brighter with streaked, not spotted, flanks.

A very large swift with broad wings pinched at the base, a protruding front, and a bulky rear. Short tail has well-defined spines that can be seen even in fast flight. It has blackish-brown upperparts with a pale-brown saddle, often difficult to make out; the underparts from the throat to the lower breast are dark brown, ending in a well-demarcated deep “V” that contrasts strongly with the white belly, vent, and undertail. When seen well, it shows white lores, a feature absent in other large needletails. It has an extremely fast and powerful flight and hence can suddenly appear from nowhere and disappear quickly. 

This species occurs from western Venezuela to extreme northern Peru. It is fairly common in high elevation grasslands or open shrubby areas with patches of bare ground. Look for a medium-sized, chunky brown bird with a bold whitish eyebrow and throat. In flight, shows an obvious buffy wing stripe. Singles or pairs forage in the open and are often quite approachable. Compare with Stout-billed Cinclodes, which as you may have deduced from the name has a notably stouter (and more curved) bill. Chestnut-winged was formerly a member of the Bar-winged Cinclodes complex, which has since been split into three species.