Blue-crowned Laughingthrush

Spectacular male shows diagnostic maroon sides to head and collar, iridescent metallic blue-green forehead and crown, blue shoulder, moss-green back, and yellow rump. Underside is uniform bright yellow in both sexes, although female is entirely olive above. Juvenile resembles female but with pale legs. Singles and pairs inhabit forest, shrubbery, and plantations in lowlands and lower hills, often joining mixed-species flocks. Female can be separated from female Black and Brown-throated Sunbirds by bright yellow underparts and lack of yellow eyebrow. Gives high-pitched “tzeeet” calls. Song is an undulating trill.

A small, dainty bee-eater of arid, open terrain with scattered trees, including semideserts, palm groves, and gardens. Mainly green with a slender black face mask, throat band, and a stunning electric-blue face and throat. Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the short tail spike. In flight, note the rusty underwing with a black trailing edge. Flies gracefully as it catches insects and other prey. Calls are a series of gentle liquid trills or more staccato notes.

Medium-sized antbird. Males are black with a large white patch on the back and females are brown overall, paler below, with grayish sides of the head. Inhabits the understory of humid forest, including the forest edge and light gaps, and also tall adjacent second growth. Regularly attends army-ant swarms. The song is a loud descending series of “peek” notes, and the call is a rattle.