Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher

Woodstars are tiny hummingbirds that fly like bumblebees. Purple-throated is restricted to the west slope of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador, where it inhabits cloud forest, edges, and second growth from 800–2,000 m. Males have a glittering purple throat, white chest band, fairly long forked tail, and white patches on the sides of the rump. Unlikely to be confused within range. Females are trickier; note the orangey belly with a variable amount of smudgy white in the center (never as extensive as on female White-bellied Woodstar) and the thin whitish line that extends behind the eye and wraps around the neck (not as wide or buffy as on Little Woodstar). Often seen singly feeding in the canopy; visits feeders.

Medium-sized antshrike found in the understory of lowland forest and edge, especially in dense thickets. Male is entirely dark glossy black with a relatively short tail and a stout, hooked bill. Female is very distinctive: rufous above with a darker blackish head and breast covered with paler streaks and a buffy-brown belly. Found in pairs, usually working their way through vine tangles or thickets. Listen for an accelerating series of clucks.

A distinctive saltator-like tanager, overall gray with a mostly black head and throat and a stout bill. Beware confusing immatures, which are olive with a yellow eyering. Pairs or small groups are fairly common in lowland savannah habitats with a mixture of grass and trees. Listen for the rich, melodic song.