Golden-tufted Grackle Macroagelaius imthurni

A medium-sized blackbird of tepui highland forests. Adults are entirely black except for yellow tufts at bend of wing; young birds are dull blackish-gray and lack the tufts. Noisy groups range through montane forest canopy and along savanna edges, probing flowers, leaf bases, and bark crevices; may pause to loaf, preen, and call for extended periods. Makes a variety of squeaking and chuckling calls, many with a strongly metallic quality, unlike any other bird in tepui highlands. Epaulet Oriole is also black and yellow, but note grackle’s yellow pectoral tufts (not shoulders), stockier build, thicker bill, and tendency to occur in single-species flocks.