Mountain Illadopsis

One of the Holy Grails of Andean birding, this distinctive green-and-yellow species is slightly larger than a becard. Note scaled sides and breast, a long hooked bill, and large eyes. Males have a black cap with olive-green cheeks and back and bright yellow underparts. Females have a less distinct black cap and more dark scaling on the underparts. Very rare, local, and infrequently seen, with records on the east slope of the Andes from western Venezuela to Bolivia. Found in humid foothill forests where it can be seen foraging from the understory all the way to the subcanopy. The song is a very thin, high-pitched “psieeeehh,” repeated regularly.

Fairly common little bird of grassland and weedy areas in the tropical lowlands and foothills. Occurs from Texas to Panama. Often in flocks, mixing readily with other “weed-eating” small birds. Plumage is very variable, but all birds have a stubby dark bill with a curved culmen. Usually shows two whitish wingbars. Breeding plumage males with a black cap and bold white collar are usually outnumbered by female-plumaged birds, which are plain brownish, sometimes showing buffy wingbars.

A range-restricted hermit with a gently curved bill. Dark green above and rusty below, with a prominent broad white eyebrow and a greenish tail with a white tip. Found in humid forests, where it forages in the understory, favoring Heliconia plants. The similar Rufous-breasted Hermit has a more strongly curved bill and a bronzy tail with a white tip.