Gray-and-white Tyrannulet

A small, gemlike species of woodlands including coffee plantations and mangroves. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a profile shared only by the Narrow-billed Tody within its range. Both species have bright green upperparts and red on the throat and sides. Note especially the dark eyes of Broad-billed Tody, as compared to the pale eyes of Narrow-billed. Many Broad-billed Todys also have a buff-yellow wash below, which the Narrow-billed lacks. On birds lacking buff below, the Broad-billed can be identified by its all red lower bill, which is black tipped in the Narrow-billed. Further clues to identification include altitude, with this species occurring mostly below 700 meters elevation and the Narrow-billed occurring above 700 meters. The Broad-billed also tends to forage higher and on more open perches. Its most common vocalization is a rough, quick “weep” or “whip” given in series at about two per second. Compare to call of Narrow-billed Tody, which utters a buzzy “chik-zhwik” and a rapid buzzy chatter.

Plumage relatively dull and dark: grayish brown to grayish above with weak darker streaking; dingy whitish below with heavy and rather blurry dark streaking. Also note the dark legs (pink on smaller and buffier Meadow Pipit, which often occurs in coastal grassland adjacent to Rock Pipits). Song is a bland, repetitive, high-pitched series, often accelerating towards the end. Call a high, lisping, slightly harsh "ssiip", very similar to that of Water Pipit. Like other pipits, walks strongly and often pumps its tail a little. Found along rocky coasts; infrequent inland. Often seen on rocks and adjacent areas with short grass.

A locally common but easily overlooked flycatcher of forest and forest edge. Has a distinctive crested flycatcher shape but more warbler-like behavior, sitting laterally on perches and moving its tail around as it forages. Male has a glossy black head, throat, back, wings, and tail, with a pale gray belly. Female is pale gray all over, slightly darker on the back, wings, and tail, with a blackish cap. Song is an ethereal, hollow “wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo,” rising in pitch, reminiscent of a fast White-spotted Flufftail. Calls include harsh chatters and rattles.