Vermilion Tanager

This small tanager has a very limited range near the border of Panama and Colombia. Note the mostly black head with pale greenish spots on the cheek and nape, extensive dark spotting on breast and flanks, rich buffy belly, black back, and blue edges on wing feathers. Uncommon in montane forest and edges from around 600 to 1,350 m, where pairs or small groups often forage with mixed-species flocks in the middle to upper levels. Green-naped was recently split from Spangle-cheeked Tanager, which is found in western Panama and Costa Rica, and looks very similar but does not overlap in range.

A large, grayish, naked-faced hawk with broad wings. The small, bare, yellow (sometimes flushed red) face, white-banded black tail, and underwing pattern distinguish it. The immature is blotchy brown with yellow-green facial skin and barred flight feathers. Harrier-hawks are specialists, foraging on eggs and nestlings, and they have double-jointed knees which allow them to access nest holes and other confined spaces. They are often seen clumsily clambering around on cliffs and trees when foraging. Although similar to chanting-goshawks, African Harrier-Hawk’s long but small angular head, broad wings, and tail pattern are diagnostic.

A mostly green medium-sized parrot with a contrasting head, gray in females and yellow in males. Shows a blue underwing in flight. Inhabits lowland forest edge, including coconut plantations, parks, and gardens, up to at least 1750 meters of elevation. Bulkier than Cardinal, White-naped, Yellow-bibbed, and Purple-bellied Lories, with slower wingbeats, and lacks the mostly red color of those species. The similar Eclectus Parrot is larger with a bigger bill, and male is also green but has a red underwing. Singing Parrot’s voice includes a wide variety of harsh cries and a whistling bell-like song.