Amazonian Motmot

Widespread hummingbird, but often overlooked. Appears mostly green with a solidly dark blue tail. If seen in good light, note reddish base of bill and (for male) strong bluish sheen on throat and breast. Female identifiable by extensive green spotting below. Occurs in a variety of habitats including river edges, abandoned plantations and second growth, and patches of savanna woodland. Feeds on nectar and defends patches of flowers from other hummingbirds. Male is similar to male Blue-tailed Emerald but is larger, lacks forked tail and has bluish cast on underparts. Female is somewhat similar to Glittering-throated Emerald but has uniformly spotted breast.

A plain clay-brown laughingthrush with a long, curved yellow bill. Largely without distinguishing plumage features, but note weak white brow, blue-gray tinge to the wings, and small black patches on the “elbow” and face. The only laughingthrush in much of its range. Forages in hilly and montane regions, where it often moves about noisily in medium-sized flocks in scrubby, brushy habitat, often near waterways. Long rambling song melodious and thrush-like; calls include fluid whistles, nasal chattering, and quiet peeping.

Medium-sized sunbird with a fairly straight dark bill. Brightly-colored has an iridescent green back, yellowish belly, and reddish wings, face, and throat. Female is dull brownish yellow overall, with an olive-tinged back and wings. Brown-throated Sunbird is very similar in all plumages; male of that species has more prevalent bluish iridescence and minimal reddish coloration, while female Brown-throated has a slightly narrower eyering (best identified when accompanied by a male though). Where the two overlap, Red-throated tends to be much less common, especially in artificial habitats such as parks and gardens, though it does occur in secondary growth and forest edge, as well as primary growth. Song is a brief series of high thin “tsi-tzee” notes, and calls include various high chips and trills.