Woodpecker Finch

Large forest hummingbird with long decurved bill and long tail. Rich buffy belly and rump, obvious pale eyebrow and mustache stripe. Elongated central tail feathers with white tips, like many other large hermits. Found in subtropical forest understory in the Andes from Colombia to northern Peru, usually from 1,500–2,300 m. Higher elevation than other hermits. Usually flies by quickly in the dark forest understory uttering a piercing “tseet!” call, occasionally stopping to feed at flowers, especially Heliconia. Rarely visits feeders.

A brownish, mid-sized swift with a powerful, direct flight and contrasting paler patches along the trailing edges of the wings, adjacent to the body. Can be seen in flight over any habitat, but most often in dry and rocky areas. Very similar to several other swifts, and identification is tricky without a very good view or photo. Browner than African Black Swift. Pale patch in the wings separates it from Common and Forbes-Watson’s Swifts. The call is a high-pitched, descending trill.

A chunky and gregarious resident of wet upland forests; often found in flocks of up to 15 birds. Its green body, bluish head, and orange-red spot on upper chest readily separates this species from the Imperial Parrot, the only other parrot sharing its range, as well as parrot species commonly kept in captivity. The largely blue underwing, often seen in flight, is also distinctive. Calls include a shrill “chur-lu-weeek” with the final note louder and higher pitched, plus a shrill, almost trilled, “cureeek.”