White-thighed Swallow

Localized red-headed sparrow-like bird. Has an ashy gray body, a rusty red head, a black face, and white lores and mustache. Forages on or near the ground in scrub and Polylepis woodlands at high elevations. Listen for a choppy series of high metallic whines, buzzy whistles, and chips.

A small, strikingly plumaged myzomela with a bright crimson red head, back, and rump and black wings, belly, chest, and tail. Thin bill decurved. Female mostly dark reddish, with darker ruddy brownish coloration where male would be black. Seems to prefer forest habitats, but widespread. Unique coloration of both sexes should identify this species with certainty. Vocally shy. Common call is a repeated high-pitched, insect-like “tseet.”

This nondescript flycatcher is most often detected by its call, a piercing two-parted “pee-sweet!” Visually it’s not overwhelming: yellowish underparts, olive upperparts, pale yellowish wingbars, and a gray head with a vague white eyebrow and black eyeline. Fairly small and similar to other species of elaenia and flycatchers; voice is most useful feature for identification. Usually seen singly in the canopy of lowland forest, often following mixed-species flocks. Widespread from Panama to Brazil.