Thyolo Alethe

The smallest member of a group of frustratingly similar double-collared sunbirds that co-occur in African forests. Often encountered near forest edges and in forest clearings, and sometimes even in villages and gardens. Males have an olive belly, a bright red chest band with a blue and purple upper border, yellow underwing tufts, and an iridescent green throat, head, and upperparts. Females are generally olive all over with a slight eye-line and darker olive streaking on the undersides. Appears short-billed, and from a distance almost straight-billed. Extremely similar to Olive-bellied Sunbird and Northern Double-collared Sunbird, with which this species co-occurs. Look for Tiny Sunbird’s short, nearly straight bill and the small red breast band on the males. Gives sharp “tsew!” calls and, in its song, multiple notes at different pitches in rapid succession.

Predominantly gray species with a long tail and pink legs. Note the darker gray crown and paler eyebrow. Found principally in shaded cacao plantations or adjacent remnant forests across a very restricted range. Forages acrobatically in the canopy and subcanopy and often accompanies mixed-species flocks. Builds a large stick nest.

One of the most common and widespread warblers; often the core member of mixed warbler flocks during migration, especially early in spring and late in fall. Two main populations: “Audubon’s” breeds mainly in the mountains of the western U.S. and into British Columbia; “Myrtle” breeds from the eastern U.S. across Canada to Alaska. All plumages show a bright yellow rump and yellow on the sides. Most “Audubon’s” have a yellow throat, but dull immature females can be off-white. “Myrtle” Warblers have a white throat that wraps around below the cheek. Both subspecies breed in coniferous or mixed forests, often near clearings or edges. In migration and winter, found in any woodland or open shrubby area, including coastal dunes, fields, parks, and residential areas. Often sallies out from a conspicuous perch to snatch insects. Also eats berries in the winter. Calls frequently: a flat “check” (Myrtle) or rising “chit” (Audubon’s). Another distinctive sedentary population, surely a separate species, occurs very locally in the highlands of Guatemala: Goldman’s Warbler. Males are strikingly black overall, and show a mostly yellow throat with white corners.