Olive-green Tyrannulet

Has a typical weaver color scheme but an unusual shape: a chunky body, heavy bill, and short tail. Breeding males and females have a black mask, and the crown is yellow in males and black in females. Non-breeding birds are more distinctive than typical non-breeding weavers: buff below, with a dark crown and eye-stripe. Found in wet and grassy microhabitats within savanna, forest, scrub, and cultivation. Usually in small flocks. Along with typical weaver “chit” notes and sizzling, “radio static” song, also often gives a “cheep” call. Superficially similar to other weavers, but separated by distinctive shape.

This striking thrush is unmistakable if seen well: mostly jet black with a white cheek, white tuft under the shoulder, and white outer tail feathers (easily visible from below). Also note red eye and orange lower mandible. Sexes similar. Generally uncommon to rare in limited range in western Colombia and Ecuador, but can be numerous in the right places. Seems to be found most frequently in very humid, mossy cloud forest, but undergoes poorly-known movements perhaps in relation to food availability. Usually seen singly in the middle to upper levels of forest. Listen for the simple song, an even whistled note with a slightly rough tone, given at widely-spaced intervals.

Small and notably small-billed “finch” (actually a tanager!) of the high Andes, often found in wide-ranging flocks that associate readily with other seed-eating birds. Found on stony slopes with bushes, in puna grassland, and in villages. Plumage is rather drab, but the combination of the distinctive pale spectacles, the small bill, and dark-streaked back help with ID. Adult (sexes look similar) has plain grayish underparts, which are streaky on immature birds.