Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul

Small, attractively patterned thrush of tropical and subtropical evergreen forest in foothills and subtropics. Usually elusive and heard far more often than seen. Feeds mainly on the ground, but also in fruiting bushes and trees. Sings from low to middle level perches. Plumage distinctive: black head, contrasting orange eyering, bill, and legs, and yellow underparts with dusky spotting. Song distinctive: slow, fluty, whistled phrases, given in a varied series. Occurs on both slopes of the Andes from western Venezuela to northern Argentina. Similar to Yellow-throated Nightingale-Thrush but no range overlap.

Very scarce and rarely seen small dove of foothill and mountain forest and edge, usually with patches of seeding bamboo. Most often seen in fast direct flight; rarely seen perched or feeding in low vegetation or on the ground. Male deep blue-gray with purple bands on the wings and a maroon breast; white outer tail feathers striking when tail is spread. Female with dark bill, and brown overall with dark reddish-brown bands on the wings; rump and tail less rusty than similar female Blue Ground Dove of humid tropical lowlands.

A distinctive plump, short-tailed, long-legged bird with a bold red belly. Note the rusty nape, black throat, broad blue chest band bordered below with a thick black line, and greenish upperparts. Singles or pairs forage on the forest floor or call from a low perch within forest and secondary growth. More abundant in the lowlands but also occurs in the foothills. No similar species in range. Song is typical of the genus, with a quivering, rising first note and a falling, mournful second whistle: “waaaaop-aaaaaawoo.”