Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager

A glossy-black starling with a big permanently raised crest that gives it a unique, broad-headed profile. Also note prominent whitish markings on sides of neck and breast, which appear like one large patch. Juvenile shorter-crested, with a brown chin and a bicolored bill. Frequents the canopy of lowland and hill forest in small groups or pairs, preferring pristine areas, but straying into edges and degraded patches too. Complex song involves whirring “weee-ow-weee-ow” mixed with “chur” and “chip” notes. Also gives a single, strident metallic “chip” call.

Small yellow warbler found in the understory of Andean forest and scrub from around 2,500-3,500m. Olive above and brighter yellow below, with bright yellow eyebrow and black crown. Sexes similar. Compare with Citrine Warbler, which does not show a black crown. Fairly common. Pairs forage low, often among mixed-species flocks, where they can be difficult to spot among the dense scrub and bamboo. Frequently detected by accelerating series of musical chips.

Small, compact bird found in the understory of humid, mossy mid-elevation montane forest. Males are dark gray with a brown back and cap; females are similar, with a reddish-orange face. Both sexes have white head plumes that are raised when agitated. Smaller and darker than antpittas, which are similar in body structure. Forages singly or in pairs. Listen for the male’s song, a series of raspy rising “bree?” notes, typically given early in the morning or at dusk.