Central American Pygmy-Owl

Although not actually pale, this brownish songbird is one of the plainer thrushes in its range. Found in areas of open woodland and scrubland; less tied to extensive forests than other thrushes, particularly in the winter, when it may often be found near reedbeds and in thickets. Sexes similar, both earthen-brown above, paler below, with grayish head, but male has darker ash-gray face, female a dingy white throat. White tail corners obvious in flight.

A small owlet-nightjar of montane forests. Dark head, pale collar, barred back and tail. A rufous morph also occurs. Day-roosting birds are sometimes found in dense thickets. May overlap with Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar, which lacks the pale collar, and Vogelkop Owlet-nightjar, which has a barred chest. Call, a sharp falling “wek!” or “wek-wek!” sounding like a squeaky toy or given as a raspy note.

A large bee-eater which appears greenish overall. Note the bluish-green forehead, the long blue streak down the throat to the breast, and the dull yellow belly with green streaks. It has a dark, heavy bill and a long tail. Its flight is undulating, short, and rapid. Unlike other bee-eaters, it does not soar often, nor does it appear graceful in flight. It can be inconspicuous as it sticks to the mid-canopy of the wooded groves and forests it inhabits. Calls include deep throaty clucks, low growls, and dry croaks.