Russet-crowned Warbler

An unobtrusive, sparrow-sized bird of rainforest understory. Male is glossy black with a bright blue rump, a shining white forehead, a large yellow central breast spot, and a yellow belly. Females are bright green, yellower on the belly. A common resident of tall rainforest, where it consumes fruits of understory shrubs. Males take exposed song perches, usually within 5 meters of the ground, from which they give a repeated purring note that could easily be mistaken for a frog. Otherwise most likely to be seen at fruiting shrubs. Very similar Orange-bellied Manakin does not overlap in range. Females best distinguished from other manakins by bright green plumage and strong yellow tones on belly.

Large, spectacular, and solidly built hummingbird of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in mountains; uncommon. Feeds at all levels on flowers and sometimes perches on prominent high twigs. Most striking feature is the bright rusty wings, which typically flash brightly as it hovers at flowers; also note the big white spot behind the eye. Male often looks blackish below; the pink throat rarely catches the light. Female is dusky grayish below.

Fairly common; seen more readily than other large tapaculos. Like huet-huets, loud calls often draw attention. Found in matorral and other native scrub on hillsides and rocky slopes. Often perches on rocks or runs along roadsides, tail cocked strongly. Besides its large, “fat” size and shape, note big white “mustaches,” solidly brownish breast, and boldly barred belly. Compare with smaller and longer-tailed White-throated Tapaculo, which is often in the same areas.