Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia

A medium-sized tern of the tropical Pacific. Similar to Sooty Tern, but the back is gray (not black) and the white patch on the forehead extends behind the eye. Note deeply forked tail. Nests on the ground and occasionally on ledges on tropical islands. Rarely seen from shore.

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Yellow-winged Pytilias. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular and bizarre, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are mostly black with a rufous breast, a yellow back of the neck, and a long, narrow tail. Non-breeding male and female plumages are poorly known, but show a streaky brownish back and pale underparts. Generally scarce and local in savanna and cultivated areas. Breeding male similar to other paradise-whydahs, but has a longer and narrower tail. Separation of non-breeding male and female from other paradise-whydahs is poorly understood. Not very vocal, but does mimic Yellow-winged Pytilia vocalizations, which include simple, nasal “teew” notes. 

This scarce thrush is found in forests of the subtropical zone from Venezuela to Bolivia, usually at elevations from 1,000–2,000 m. Males are dark black with a staring pale eye and orange bill and legs. Females are rich dark brown with a dark bill, no eyering, and some pale mottling on the belly. To separate from other similar thrushes, especially note the lack of an eyering on both sexes. Not frequently encountered. Males perch at the top of a tree when singing; listen for the squeaky and complex thrushlike song. Otherwise most likely to be seen at a fruiting tree within the forest.