Bronze Sunbird

Medium-sized, uniformly dark swift with a long, thin tail. Overall coloration is pale gray with a paler throat, but often looks blackish when seen in flight overhead. Flight is fluttering and not very strong. Found over a wide variety of habitats at middle and high elevations. Usually in flocks, sometimes mixed with other swift species. The call is a mellow, chirping trill. Similar to African Palm-Swift, but darker. Very similar in shape to White-rumped Swift, but lacks white throat and rump patches. Can be mistaken for other swift species such as African and Common Swifts, but has slimmer body, longer and slimmer tail, and less powerful flight style.

Anis are bizarre black cuckoos with long floppy tails and unique, very deep and broad-sided bills. Greater is the largest ani, distinctive with its staring yellow eye and glossy blue, green, and purple sheen on the wings and tail. Always associated with water; especially apt to be found low in the forest edge around slow-moving rivers and lakes. Seen in family groups. Widespread in lowlands from Panama to Argentina.

This striking thrush is unmistakable if seen well: mostly jet black with a white cheek, white tuft under the shoulder, and white outer tail feathers (easily visible from below). Also note red eye and orange lower mandible. Sexes similar. Generally uncommon to rare in limited range in western Colombia and Ecuador, but can be numerous in the right places. Seems to be found most frequently in very humid, mossy cloud forest, but undergoes poorly-known movements perhaps in relation to food availability. Usually seen singly in the middle to upper levels of forest. Listen for the simple song, an even whistled note with a slightly rough tone, given at widely-spaced intervals.