White-spotted Munia

Poorly known hummingbird found only in the remote Chiribiquete Mountains in southeastern Colombia, far from the Andes. Male is iridescent green with a bluish tail. Female has pale underparts, black mask, and white stripe behind the eye. Very similar to the widespread Blue-tailed Emerald, but larger and longer billed. Inhabits scrubby areas in the higher parts of the mountains, and avoids dense forest.

Distinctive small flycatcher of montane forest from 2,800–3,500 m, occasionally lower in some places. Namesake white throat is quite conspicuous and often looks slightly puffed out. Note dark wings with obvious wingbars (distinctively cinnamon in some parts of range, but whitish in other places) and long tail and upright posture. Fairly common; pairs or small groups are usually conspicuous in mixed-species flocks at the edge of forest and in scrubby habitats.

An inconspicuous little bird (plumage blends well with bark) of woods, forests, and gardens with larger trees. Usually seen as singles or pairs, creeping along trunks and branches using its tail for support, like a mini-woodpecker. Probes in crevices for insects and spiders, and often spirals up then drops to low on the next tree and spirals up again. In areas where Short-toed Treecreeper also occurs, the two species are often not safely distinguished without considerable experience; look for “uneven steps” on the wing, whiter sides, and slightly shorter bill. Listen for high, thin “tseee”s and trills. Song is a lovely series of falling whistles, typically preceded by short trills and concluded with a flourishing rising whistle.