Dark-breasted Rosefinch

A cryptically-colored ground-dweller without the bright colors and bold head patterns boasted by many of its relatives. Mottled brown overall with a grayish-white face and a speckled orange throat. Forages in dense undergrowth like other partridges, usually in mature foothill and lowland forest. Listen for its song, a series of ascending breathy whistles which culminate in an echoing series of ringing notes. As with many other forest gamebirds, very difficult to see in general; most likely encountered at staked-out blinds, or, if one is lucky, walking quietly along roadsides and clearings at dusk and dawn.

High-elevation hummingbird endemic to the Andes of southern Ecuador. Plumage is mostly green with a purple throat, and tail is blue on top and greenish underneath. Bill is short and straight. Female has underparts scaled with gray or buff. Compared to the common and widespread Tyrian Metaltail, Violet-throated lacks a rusty tail and has a purple (not green or buffy) throat. Inhabits montane scrub and edge of stunted forest. Most sightings come from in and around Cajas National Park.

A medium-sized greenbul of thickets and tangles that prefers edge and semi-disturbed habitats. Most often seen in pairs or small family groups, but it will occasionally join other species in flocks. Gray below except for a bright yellow throat, and uniformly yellow-green above with reddish eyes. Most likely to be confused with the similarly named Yellow-throated Greenbul, which usually has a paler whitish throat in areas where the two species overlap. Yellow-necked Greenbuls can be distinguished by their uniformly gray underparts, brighter olive-green upperparts, dark red eyes, and consistently bright yellow throats. Voice is a variable subdued chatter, “kur-ku-kurkwu.”