Some Other Birds of Riverbanks, Sandbars, and Marshes
You will likely see a wide variety of bird species on any Neotropical wetland tour. A sampling of some of the most
iconic representatives of this remarkable assemblage is presented in plates 12- 39– 44.Plate 12- 39. Plate 12- 40.Plate 12- 41. Plate 12- 42.Plate 12-43.Plate 12- 39. The Greater Ani
(Crotophaga major), a member of
the cuckoo family (chapter 15), is the
largest of the anis (45 cm/18 in) and
the most specialized. It is never far
from riverbanks or marshes. Photo by
John Kricher.Plate 12- 40. The Muscovy Duck (Cairina
moschata) is found throughout
Amazonia and much of Central
America. It is a large duck (85 cm/33.5
in) of wooded riverine areas, often seen
flying along the river with its large white
wing patches evident, and is normally
wary. The species has been widely
domesticated throughout the tropics
and beyond. Photo by John Kricher.Plate 12- 41. Common along virtually
all Neotropical rivers and ranging
into Texas, the Neotropic Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) is easy to
recognize. It swims like a duck and dives
like a loon to capture fish. Photo by
John Kricher.Plate 12- 42. No, it isn’t a funky chicken.
This is a Gray- necked Wood- Rail
(Aramides cajaneus). The species may be
found in wet, swampy wooded areas,
but it is also common along riverbanks.
It is widely distributed throughout the
Neotropics. Photo by Jill Lapato.Plate 12- 43. The unmistakable Pied
Lapwing (Vanellus [Hoploxypterus]
cayanus) is partial to beaches and
riverbanks and is widespread
throughout Amazonia. Photo by John
Kricher.Plate 12- 44. The cardinal- size Black-
capped Donacobius (Donacobius
atricapilla) is a taxonomic enigma,
now placed in its own family, the
Donacobiidae. Once believed to be
related to mockingbirds and/or wrens,
it is kin to neither. The bird is common
and often conspicuous in marshy areas
and river edges in much of Amazonia,
extending north to southern Panama.
Plate 12- 44. Photo by Bruce Hallett.222 chapter 12 cruising the rivers to the sea