Lesser Shortwing

Small, charismatic flycatcher of forest understory. Key field mark is gray head contrasting with white throat and tawny underparts. Found in tall rainforest where it is relatively uncommon and difficult to see well; usually alone or in pairs. Forages from low perches, darting up to scoop insects from undersides of leaves. Slightly larger, chunkier, and plainer-faced than other spadebills. Often first detected by its sharp call note; distinctive song is a rising then falling trill.

A large, unmistakable long-tailed dove with an all-dark body and a contrasting cream-colored face. Also displays a red eye-ring and an iridescent emerald green shawl on the nape. Juveniles duller, with a gray face. Inhabits upper levels of forest edge and more open wooded areas in lowlands and hills, where usually found in pairs or singly. Sometimes gives gliding display flights from treetops. Vocal, giving a three-note song: “uk-woo-wooop.” The first note is soft, making it seem like a two-note call; the last note is longest.

A small, plain woodland species often found flycatching from exposed perches at middle levels in the forest; often flicks tail once upon landing. Note that this species has relatively inconspicuous wingbars and no eyering. The similar Eastern Wood-Pewee has distinctly longer primaries (assessed by looking at how far the primaries extend beyond tertials), whitish wingbars, and rarely flicks its tail upon landing. The Greater Antillean Elaenia has bold white wingbars and an entirely dark bill unlike the Jamaican Pewee. Vocalizations include plaintive “wee-wee,” with the second note louder and both notes upslurred, a similarly plaintive ‘uh-weee-oo” with the middle portion upslurred, and a slightly rough, whistled “weeah.”