White-necked Laughingthrush

Small hummingbird of the Andes from southern Bolivia through Argentina into central Chile; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open or semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a broad blue-black stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.

Small, short-tailed parrot that occurs from Venezuela to Ecuador and into eastern Panama. Green overall with a pale bluish eyering and red patches around the eye. Blue forecrown can be difficult to see but, look for red shoulder. Rarely seen perched; most often detected by voice as it flies rapidly over the forest, mostly often in pairs or small groups. With a quick flight view, note small size and short, square tail. The only member of its genus in range. Scarce and local, occurring mainly in the foothills and lower subtropics but occasionally ranging into the lowlands. Listen for bisyllabic calls with a grating quality: “chuwee, chuwee.”

Small, short-necked tinamou of the chaco region of the central Southern Cone. Most often detected by voice. From similar White-bellied Nothura, with which its range partly overlaps, by gray legs and brownish belly. Tends to prefer thorn forest with dense grass or scrubby understory, but can be seen along road sides. Song a 5-8 part flat whistle, given with progressively more emphasis.