Scarlet-breasted Dacnis

This strikingly colored denizen of montane woodlands (and less often, mangrove swamps) is rather sedate. It is often found sitting upright and rather motionless, typically in pairs. One's first impression is often of a rather long and largish bird with a brilliant red belly, emerald back, and blackish head. No similar species occur within its range. Song is a tremulous “whut-will,” with second note longer and trailing off at end. The first note is sometimes omitted and second note is sometimes given as doublet or triplet. Calls include a shrill “whee” and soft coos. Though rather vocal, calling birds are difficult to locate due ventriloquial quality of their vocalizations.

Ornately patterned fulvetta with a rich coffee-brown crown, an orange wing panel, and a decurved black brow and thin mustache on a white face. Moves quickly through the lower and middle levels of the forest in large flocks, often mixed in with other species, including babblers, leaf warblers, and other fulvettas. Clambers around on trunks and branches like a nuthatch or a treecreeper. Inhabits mid- to high-altitude broadleaf forests. Calls include trills, rattles, and chips. Song is a high-pitched “wee-chee-chee-wee-chee.”

Large ground-dwelling robin with a long broad tail. Male is dark blue with a shining sapphire forehead. Female is dark brown with paler underparts. Both sexes lack the large white tail panels of the otherwise similar White-tailed Robin. Inhabits well-vegetated mid- to high-elevation forests, where it forages quietly on the ground in dense undergrowth. Song is short but sweet, consisting of 3-4 whistled phrases, somewhat like a truncated thrush song.