Red-billed Tyrannulet

Small, rare woodpecker restricted to very wet lowland and foothill rainforest in western Colombia and far northwestern Ecuador. Both sexes have olive back and wings, extensive dark barring on underparts, and golden nape. Male has a red crown, and female has a brown crown. Easily mistaken for the much more common Red-rumped Woodpecker, whose rump is frequently hidden by its wings. Choco has thicker, darker barring, especially on the breast, where some of the bars are tinged with copper or buff.

A gregarious mostly dark-gray helmetshrike. Note the piercing orange eye, blue eye wattles, chestnut forehead patch, red legs, and orange bill. Small to medium-sized flocks inhabit coastal forest and lush woodland. Often in mixed flocks, most often with Retz’s Helmetshrike. Vocalizations include tearing notes, croaks, and bill snaps. Similar to Retz’s Helmetshrike, but easily separated by the chestnut forehead and blue rather than red eye wattles.

A medium-sized nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Note yellowish-green plumage, blackish wings and tail, and red eyes. Male has purple tints on his head. Female browner, with a bluish gloss on the head. Juveniles show a clear yellowish cheek stripe. Widespread in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Favors native and exotic forest, scrub, and urban parks and gardens. Listen for its melodious song consisting of a series of tuneful notes. Alarm call is a harsh, rapidly repeated “yeng.” Distinguished from European Greenfinch by lack of a pale, conical bill and larger size. Listen for lack of grunts, wheezes, and clicks to distinguish song from that of Tui.