Brown-capped Vireo

Small, rather drab babbler of lowland and foothill forests. Can be difficult to see in the shadowy forest floor and dense undergrowth it often forages in; listen for its song, a repetitive series of descending notes: “wi’DEW, wi’DEW!” Calls include a nasal, rising trill. If seen, note the overall warm brown body, white throat, and dark crown. Face color varies, ranging from gray to cinnamon-brown.

Uncommon and more often heard than seen. Listen for the male's ventriloquial song, a rich whistled "PWEE-uh" that carries for great distances. Found in scrubby montane forest, often in small groups. Boldly patterned quail with tones of rich chestnut and blue-gray accentuated by white highlights. Look especially for the long, straight black plume atop the head and thick white bars on the sides, which help separate this species from California Quail. Female is slightly drabber than male.

Small, yellow finch found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Note yellow patches in wings and tail. Male has a black hood. Difficult to separate from Hooded Siskin except by range and habitat. Olivaceous Siskin is generally found at lower elevations and prefers taller, more humid forest. Male may appear slightly more golden than male Hooded Siskin, but this is hard to judge. Female is always yellow below, whereas most (but not all) female Hooded Siskins in the area of overlap are grayish below. Not all birds can be safely identified.