Yellow-throated Nightingale-Thrush

Fairly common on western slopes of the Andes and in interior valleys, favoring drier habitats with weedy brush on rocky slopes, and also agricultural areas with hedges and thickets. Often in pairs, foraging low in weedy brush, where can be hard to see well; agile and often active, clinging upside down at tips of branches. Identified by boldly streaked crown and back, weakly patterned or mostly plain underparts, and very long spiky-tipped tail. Compare with the bulkier Andean Tit-Spinetail (local overlap in Peru).

Dark, rusty-brown bird of shady forest floors in humid evergreen forest of tropical foothills and highlands; often near gullies and streambeds, where digs its nest burrow into earth banks. Feeds by tossing leaves on the forest floor. Mostly seen as it flushes, when it flies off with loud “skweek” calls. Note the long slender bill, rich rusty throat and breast, and dark rusty rump. Listen for descending series of squeaky whistles. Occurs from Mexico to Panama.

A medium-sized, rather robust and long-tailed warbler, with a noticeably stout bill. Variable plumage, from bright adult males with extensive yellow throat to extremely dull grayish-brown immature females. Always look for two white wingbars, diffuse streaking on the sides of the breast, large bill, and long narrow tail with a shallow notch. Well-named: almost always found in pine trees throughout the year. In spring and summer, listen for loud musical trill (compare with Chipping Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco). Occasionally visits feeders, especially for suet. A short-distance migrant, wintering entirely in the United States.