Red-fronted Rosefinch

Plain sparrow with a gray head and underparts, and brown back, wings, and tail. Found in a variety of open habitats, mostly in association with human settlements. The call is a simple “cheep” that is frequently repeated. Very similar to Southern Gray-headed, Swahili, and Parrot-billed Sparrows. Slightly larger and bigger-billed than Southern Gray-headed Sparrow, with a smaller pale shoulder patch. Paler underparts than Swahili Sparrow. Smaller bill and paler underparts than Parrot-billed Sparrow.

Small and stub-tailed, appearing mostly dark. Shows vivid electric-blue speckling on chest, back, and head, brilliant blue in direct light. Shocking pure white rump and upper tail are diagnostic and obvious. Reliant on primary forest. Voice includes a drawn-out mournful whistle, similar to a squeaky bike wheel.

Skulky warbler found in dry and semi-humid scrub, overgrown clearings, and tangles at forest edge. Male is yellow with a conspicuous black mask. Female is plain and unremarkable. Similar to Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, but male has a gray crown and thinner mask, and female usually shows slightly darker upperparts. Female also similar to female Yellow Warbler, but has a thicker bill and darker back. Typical song west of the Andes is a melodious series of notes that speeds up near the end. In the Marañón Valley, it gives a much more complex rising and falling song. Also gives soft churring and buzzing calls. Ranges in western Ecuador and western Peru, with a few records from extreme southwestern Colombia. Formerly considered a subspecies group of Masked Yellowthroat.