Palawan Flowerpecker

Large, ubiquitous yellow-bellied flycatcher found throughout most of Middle and South America, though tends to be uncommon at the far northern end of its range in the U.S. A classic “telephone wire” bird along roadsides and in towns. Prefers open areas with some trees and water. Most abundant in lowlands and foothills, but ventures up to over 3,000m in some parts of range. Listen for sharp, high-pitched twitters. Nearly identical to Couch’s Kingbird, which overlaps from Texas to Belize; best separated by voice. Larger and longer-billed than Western and Cassin’s Kingbird; also note paler brownish tail. Also very similar to White-throated (longer, forked tail) and Snowy-throated (dark mask) Kingbirds in some parts of South America.

A gregarious small seed-eating bird of pine forests and forest openings that also visits agricultural areas near dry scrubby forests. The male is unique in appearance with green upperparts, yellow underparts, a black head, and a thick pale bill. Females of this species resemble female and nonbreeding Village Weavers, but the Village Weavers are substantially larger, have a distinct pale eyebrow, a dark bill and pink legs. Calls include a “jut-jut,” a shrill and buzzy “zzhhreeeee,” and a buzzy insect-like “zzzzzzzzzt” that is upward inflected.

Small antbird with a short, white-tipped tail. Males are gray on the head and body, including the throat; black back is lined with rows of bold white scales. Females have an unmarked brown back, gray sides to the head and underparts, and a white throat. Inhabits the understory of humid forests. Usually found in pairs; sometimes joins mixed-species flocks and often attends army-ant swarms. Sings an ascending series of about ten quavering “tweet” notes, each note increasing in pitch.