Blue-rumped Parrot

Woodstars are tiny hummingbirds that fly like bumblebees. Gorgeted Woodstar is found in the subtropical and temperate zone of the Andes from Venezuela to Ecuador, where it inhabits cloud forest, edges, and second growth. Males are deep emerald-green (more of a bluish tone than other woodstars) with a glittering wine-colored throat and white patches on the sides of the rump. Females are trickier; note the rufous rump and tail with a black band at the base, extremely small size, short tail, and buffy infusion on the throat. On both sexes, bill often appears slightly decurved, more than other woodstars. Sometimes seen singly feeding in the canopy or at lower patches of flowers. Visits feeders.

Large, long-tailed, long-billed, dull-olive tetraka. Madagascar endemic that is found in rainforest, dry deciduous forest, and locally in spiny forest. Prefers the mid-story, and often joins mixed flocks with tetrakas and other birds. Song is a fairly musical phrase of up-and-down whistles. Call is a rough “trek-trak”. Separated from tetrakas by its larger size and its longer bill and tail. Doesn’t have the pale eye-ring of Spectacled Tetraka or the gray head of Gray-crowned Tetraka. Much more olive-colored than brush-warblers. 

Tiny, chunky, sprightly warbler with a short tail and a big head. Strong head pattern: three bright yellow stripes on an olive green head. Overlaps considerably with other similar leaf warblers throughout non-breeding range, so identification warrants caution; always note strong head pattern, bright yellow rump, and overall bright coloration. Very active while feeding, often hovering to pick insects from leaves. Joins mixed-species flocks. Breeds in coniferous and mixed forest in the Siberian taiga, and winters in a wide range of forested and semi-wooded habitats. Song complex and prolonged, a beautiful rambling series of clinking, chirping, trilling, and warbling with many repeated phrases. Call is a twangy “jwee.” Vagrants often turn up in trees on coastal headlands.