Black-tailed Waxbill

Unusual, broad-tailed prinia with a white throat. Also note the black cheek and white in the outer tail. Found in the thick understory of forest, overgrown cultivation, and edge habitats. Usually in small, active groups. The vocalizations include high-pitched “tew” and “tsik” notes which are usually repeated rapidly in chorus by a whole group. Similar to some apalis species, but distinguished by the gray underparts with a well-defined white throat.

Small brown bird with large distribution from Costa Rica to Argentina. Rufous-brown overall with whitish eyebrow and a white stripe on the side of the face. Extensive streaking on crown and underparts separates from Plain Xenops. Compare with Slender-billed Xenops, which occurs primarily in lowland Amazonian forests where Streaked does not and is not as boldly streaked. Usually found singly or in pairs following a mixed-species flock. Occurs in mature forests and edges, from the understory to the canopy, but most often at middle levels. Can be found from the lowlands up to around 2,500 m.

Small quail of dry habitats in interior valleys and on the Pacific slope. Favors brushy fields, thorn scrub with grassy areas and open pine woods. Often seen along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Usually in small groups, which flush explosively with a loud whirring of wings. Males in Guatemala and El Salvador have white face and throat. Males in Honduras and Nicaragua have bold whitish face stripes and dark throat. All females have buff eyebrow and throat. Frequently found by hearing its loud whistled bob-WHITE! call.