Western Thornbill

Nondescript bulbul; olive above and yellow below with an especially pale throat. Like many other bulbuls, manages to be distinctive despite being utterly unremarkable-looking. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, in both primary and secondary growth. Moves through middle and upper levels of forest in pairs or small flocks, sometimes with other species. Gives rough “wek” and “kwik” calls when foraging, but otherwise fairly quiet.

Rare and endangered brushfinch thought to be possibly extinct until its rediscovery in 2018. It is only known from a few locations in the Colombian Andes north of the city of Medellín. Quite similar to the widespread Slaty Brushfinch, but is paler, lacks the white spot in the wing, and shows little or no dark mustache streak. It has been observed in remnant patches of native woodland and scrub as well as in adjacent cultivated areas.

Tiny, mostly green bumblebee-like hummingbird with a straight bill, glittering magenta throat, white chest band and sides of rump, and short forked tail. Female very different, with buffy underparts, dark brown ears, and unforked rufous tail with a black band. Found in cloud forest, edges, second growth, and gardens, with some seasonal movements. Often hard to see, but sometimes perches at the top of bare branches. In Andes, compare to the similar Gorgeted Woodstar; male Gorgeted has longer purple feathers on the throat, and female lacks green central tail feathers. At lower elevations compare with Amethyst Woodstar, in which the male has a longer tail and female has a whitish throat and black tail tipped with white. Restricted to Colombia and Venezuela.