Olive-capped Flowerpecker

The gloom of the forest may make this small songbird of dense montane forests and edges appear dark, but a bit of sunlight reveals a gloriously colorful plumage, with subtle patches of olive, blue, yellow, orange, and chestnut. Social, moving about in pairs or flocks, often emerging out into the open when gaps in the vegetation are present. Song begins with a whistled introduction, then breaks into harsher, sharp jangled notes; calls low and raspy.

Fairly large, chunky, brownish bird of Andean cloud forest from Venezuela to Bolivia. Distinctive in most of range with its bright white cheeks that flare out to the side. Otherwise warm brown with rufous tail, streaked back, thin pale eyebrow, and scaly pattern on breast. Sexes alike. Usually found singly or in pairs, often following a mixed-species flock through the middle and upper levels of the subtropical and temperate forest zone from around 2,000–3,200 m. Hops conspicuously along large limbs, probing into moss clumps and bromeliads. Range only overlaps slightly with Buffy Tuftedcheek, which is found at lower elevations and has an unstreaked back and a buffy tinged cheek and throat.

Unusual little nigrita with pale underparts, a black cap, and a brown back. Found in and around humid forest at low and middle elevations, usually in pairs or small groups in the canopy. One song consists of an up-and-down series of mournful whistles. Another, which is more distinctive, is a long, descending series of high-pitched notes. Superficially similar to some waxbills, but separated by the lack of red plumage.