Deep-blue Flowerpiercer

Rather small, compact hawk; about the size of Red-shouldered Hawk, smaller than Red-tailed Hawk. Adults are solid brown above, barred reddish-brown below with bold black-and-white tail bands. Immatures similar, but with blotchier markings below and thin, diffuse tail bands. Distinctive shape in flight: note the short tail, straight leading edge of wing, and bulging secondaries in flight. Listen for high-pitched, piercing whistle coming from woodlands during breeding season. Known for forming massive flocks called kettles during migration, when it travels from the U.S. and Canada all the way to winter in Central and South America.

Small, long-tailed spinetial that is rufous above and white below with a white eyebrow. Note the yellow chin, which can sometimes be difficult to see. Usually seen in pairs foraging in marshes, at the edges of mangroves and in damp grasslands. The song, usually given as a duet, is a loud rattle.

A distinctive whistler of dark, dingy appearance. Body color is a dank mossy olive, with a slate-gray throat and a black cap. Hood often appears one-colored in forest light. Female is golden below and olive above with a gray head and a white throat. Mainly found in primary forest above 1100 meters of elevation, but does wander lower. Occurs together with Oriole Whistler, but differs in the male’s lack of a bright golden throat, neck, and belly and the female’s olive back and unstreaked underparts. Voice includes a sequence of loud, almost electronic staccato whistles.