Spot-breasted Fantail

A small, brightly colored species of dry woodlands and scrub; sometimes visits suburban gardens and parks. It is very similar to the Prairie Warbler, which has a shorter eyebrow that rarely extends much behind the eye. Many Prairies have blackish streaking on sides, while the Vitelline sometimes has dusky streaking on the sides. Similarly, Prairies usually have a white vent as opposed to the Vitelline’s typical yellow vent. Song typically buzzy with three brief introductory notes followed by a longer up-slurred note and then a long down-slurred note: dzz-dzz-dzz-zzzzee-zzzzuu.

This yellow-bellied trogon is fairly common from Panama to western Ecuador. Males have a dark head and breast with deep indigo iridescence, an iridescent turquoise or purplish back, and a plain white undertail. Females are grayer on the head and breast with a barred undertail that has large white tips on the tail feathers. Note the pale blue eyering. Compare with Gartered Trogon, which has a yellow eyering and different undertail pattern (barred with white tips on males, more black on females). Found singly or in pairs in forests, edges, and gardens up to around 1,000 m. Listen for accelerating series of “pow” notes and purring calls.

Unusual, very dark twinspot with small and faint “twin spots” on the belly. The red rump is conspicuous in flight. Found in grassy areas along forest edge and in lush cultivation. Not very vocal, but gives quiet twitters and a “tsip” call. Similar in size and overall coloration to Dusky Crimsonwing, but shows red on the flanks and none on the face.