Mountain Yellow-Warbler

Immense swan of frigid northern regions; breeds on the tundra, taiga, and steppe and winters in marshy lakes and wetlands, often in wild areas. Fairly straight neck, short tail, and sloping bill distinct from Mute Swan; told from smaller Bewick’s (Tundra) Swan by larger and pointed yellow patch at base of bill, also lower-pitched and more bugling calls. Juvenile often dingier through first winter than juvenile Bewick’s; juveniles of both usually found with adults as family groups.

Small warbler found in cloud forest in western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Field marks include bright yellow underparts a well as dark stripes through face and on sides of crown. Orange central crown stripe may not be evident in the field. Similar to Three-striped Warbler, but yellower, has thinner crown stripes, and lacks crescent below eye. Pairs or small groups forage actively in lower to middle levels in the forest, often with mixed species flocks. Song is a rising and accelerating buzzy trill. Formerly called Golden-bellied Warbler.

A very widespread small heron, common across much of the globe. Small size and overall gray color separates from most other herons and bitterns. Look for contrasting dark cap, distinct pale edges on wing feathers, and white and rufous stripes on front of neck. Juvenile streakier below than adult. Similar to Green Heron but note mostly gray neck with restricted rufous. Juvenile is much smaller and more slender than juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, with long streaks on the chest and spotting restricted to the wings. Normally solitary, found standing quietly around wetland habitats such as marshes, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.