Forest Thrush

Endemic and distinctive, medium-sized hummingbird found in the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca. Favors humid evergreen forests and shade-coffee plantations. Mainly feeds at low to middle levels, darting quickly among flowers and flashing open its mostly white tail. Both sexes have a bright rusty panel in the wings, which appears as a blur when hovering. Male is brilliant green overall with blue cap. Female is pale gray below and has less white in the tail.

Smallest swift in most of range. All dark gray with contrasting pale rump and paler throat, both of which can be difficult to see in many viewing conditions. A good look at the rump is necessary for a firm visual identification, otherwise Vaux’s Swift can look very similar. However, in some parts of its range (the Osa Peninsula, for example) this is the only small Chaetura swift. Makes twittering calls similar to many other swifts. Usually found in flocks over forests and more open areas.

This small tanager is found in the upper subtropical and temperate forest, higher than most other small Andean tanagers. Mostly blue with black wings, small black mask, and one blue wingbar. Could be confused with Masked Flowerpiercer but note black wings and more restricted black mask. Fairly common; usually found in pairs, often following a mixed species flock through the canopy.