Schrenck's Bittern

Gray and yellow warbler found only in the Santa Marta Mountains of Colombia. Note the white crescents above and below the eye, white stripe between the eye and the bill, and the dark crown stripes. Usually encountered in pairs that stay quite low inside cloud forest. Gives a squeaky, high-pitched series of notes, and pairs often sing together. Regularly seen in El Dorado Nature Reserve, often near the lodge.

Tiny, compact antwren with a short tail. Males are gray and heavily streaked black. Females are similar but have an ochraceous tinge. Found in the canopy of seasonally flooded forests and on forested river islands. The song is a repetition of double notes: “teWic.” The male of Amazonian Streaked Antwren is rather similar but has a semi-concealed white back patch.

Seemingly dark and dull at a distance, males sport a spectacular color pattern when seen up close. Note red nape and throat, brilliant blue forehead, purplish cheek, and red arcs behind the eyes. Body is rich purple set off by a blue rump. Female is exceptionally plain. She is a warm, medium-brown with very few markings, distinguished from other female buntings by plainer wings and belly and curved top of the bill. Prefers brushy habitats often with steep slopes, especially riparian areas and desert washes. Generally uncommon. Listening for their song, a low, rough warble, is often the best way to find them.