Grauer's Swamp Warbler

A large pale pigeon of woodlands and forest edges; often found perching high in trees. Its ruddy shoulders and unbanded tail readily separate it from the similar Ring-tailed Pigeon. When perched, note the whispy whitish leading edge to wing, seen as a bar on upperwing in flight, that is suggestive of White-winged Dove, but that species has brighter white wing markings and is smaller. Scaly-naped and White-crowned Pigeons are much darker. Call is a soft, deep “HOOO-hoo-hoooo” and variations thereof but never similar to “oooOOO-hooo” of Ring-tailed Pigeon.

Common hummingbird of high elevations. Breeds in open woodland with meadows and scrub. In winter, found at lower elevations. Male is distinctive in range with beautiful rosy-red throat and glistening green upperparts. Female is duller with buffy sides and speckled throat. Note broadly rounded tail feathers with restricted rufous. Feeds on nectar and small insects. Visits feeders.

Striking and unmistakable with a rich rusty body, a gray back, a black face, orange legs, and noticeable spiky white facial plumes. Fairly widespread and reasonably common in the lowlands of northern South America, east of the Andes. Most often seen in the vicinity of army ant swarms, perching on vertical branches or vines close to the ground. Listen for harsh descending “churr” calls that might be a clue that there’s an ant swarm nearby.