Marañon Sparrow

Tiny sunbird with a short sharp bill. Male’s metallic green upperparts, wine-red cheeks, and bright orange throat and chest are unmistakable. Female is less distinctive, but note her size, bill shape, and bright orange throat. Found in forest, forest edge, and gardens from lowlands up into hilly areas, typically foraging actively in upper levels of trees. High thin song variable, but usually incorporates whistles and twitters.

A rather small, demure understory denizen resembling a cross between a robin and a flycatcher. Mostly dull brownish-olive with a rusty rump and tail, a paler throat, and a distinctive pale patch between the eye and bill. In display, may reveal a rufous spot near the eye. Juvenile is more mottled. A local and endangered bird found singly and in pairs in thick undergrowth of primary and secondary montane forest in a narrow range along the West Usambara mountains between 1600 and 2300 meters of elevation. Sits for long periods, sallying to catch insect prey, or forages on the ground, often in the company of ants and other ant-following birds. Sings a medley of up-and-down high-pitched whistles that is sweet without being tuneful. Alarm call is a grating “drrrzzt, drrrt, drrrt.” May be mistaken for a flycatcher, but its furtive nature and preference for thick understory are unique within its range. 

A small, striking jay with a very limited range in the highlands of Costa Rica and Panama. Unmistakable: mostly dark midnight-blue, brighter on the wings, with pale silvery throat and thin eyebrow. Sexes similar. Uncommon to rare in oak forests from around 2,000–3,200 m. Found in pairs or small flocks. Listen for harsh calls, typical of a jay.