Bird Description

Fairly common in secondary growth in mixed forest. Like other Oporonis, usually stays low, hopping rather than walking. Migrates late in spring and early in fall. Rolling song 'churry churry churry churry cheri cheri,' accelerating at the end, is a common sound in movie backgrounds. Call a tangy 'twik.' ID: Similar in general appearance to COWA but slimmer and more stretched out with a slightly longer tail. Importantly, the eyering is narrower and broken, these eye arcs give it a smaller-eyed appearance. The primary projection is shorter (it does take long distance flights and is never seen flying over in the daytime). Underparts are generally darker yellow. Ad ?: more extensive black on bib and dark lores. ?/1st-yr: subtly paler supra loral spot and eyeline (COWA is plain-faced). The hood is grayer in all ages, lacking brown earth tones of some COWA. COYE is smaller-bodied with a longer spiky tail, small dark bill, and is pale-bellied with strong contrast between throat and undertail coverts.