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*MIDDLE AMERICAN [BUFF-THROATED] FOLIAGE-GLEANER  ​Auto­

mo­lus [ochrolaemus] cervinigularis 19–20cm. Fairly bulky foliage-gleaner of

humid forest, adjacent taller second growth. Mainly skulks at low to mid-levels

in shady tangles, probing in dead-leaf clusters, but at times ranges into

subcanopy with mixed flocks, and also digs in leaf litter. Sings from low perch,

shivering its tail with each song. Note bold buff spectacles, rich buffy throat,

stout bill, habits; cf. smaller, arboreal Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner of foothills.

SOUNDS: Low gruff chuk, sharp nasal pe-duk, and hard scolding tchehrr. Song a

downslurred, chortling rattle, often repeated steadily early and late in the day;

1–1.5 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on Caribbean slope, to 1200m; spills over locally to humid n. Pacific

slope. (Mexico to nw. Panama.)

CHIRIQUI [BUFF-THROATED] FOLIAGE-GLEANER  Automolus [ochrolae­

mus] exsertus 19–20 cm. Pacific-slope counterpart to Middle American Foliage-

gleaner (no range overlap), and until recently considered conspecific. Habitat

and habits like Middle American Foliage-gleaner, from which differs in voice,

also in paler throat, lack of dusky scalloping on upper breast; cf. smaller, arboreal

Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner of foothills. SOUNDS: Short, nasal, downslurred

nyeh. Song a fairly slow-paced, descending, hollow nasal rattle, 0.75–1 sec,

slowing slightly at the end; slower-paced than Middle American. STATUS: Fairly

common on s. Pacific slope, to 1200m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

*NORTHERN RUDDY FOLIAGE-GLEANER  Clibanornis rubiginosus 20–

21.5cm. Fairly bulky, unstreaked foliage-gleaner of humid foothill forest

understory, adjacent second growth tangles, especially in shady gullies. Skulks

and forages in shady tangles, dead-leaf clusters, where difficult to see clearly;

most often detected by voice. Note tawny-rufous throat and upper breast,

subtle paler grayish eyering, long rusty tail, cf. Tawny-throated Leaftosser.

SOUNDS:  Short hard rattle, and slowly repeated chak. Song a distinctive,

2-syllable nasal phrase, the 2nd part upslurred, eh’rek’ typically 2–3×, repeated

after a short pause. STATUS: Uncommon and local in hills surrounding Coto

Brus Valley, mainly 1000–1500m. (Mexico to w. Ecuador.)

BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER  Philydor rufus 18.5–20cm. Hand­

some, often relatively conspicuous, arboreal foliage-gleaner of humid foothill

forest and edge, taller second growth. Mainly at mid–upper levels on branches

and amid foliage, hopping and clambering easily, at times hanging upside down

to poke into leaf clusters; travels with mixed flocks. Distinctive, with bright buff

face and breast, dusky eyestripe, contrasting bright rusty wings and tail; cf.

much smaller juv. Red-faced Spinetail. SOUNDS: Sharp, dry metallic chik or tzik,

more resonant than somewhat similar White-throated Spadebill. Song a squeaky

woodpecker-like woika-woika…(Stiles & Skutch 1989). STATUS:  Scarce and

local on both slopes, mainly 800–2500m. (Costa Rica to S America.)

RED-FACED SPINETAIL  Cranioleuca erythrops 14.5–15.5cm. Small, active,

arboreal ovenbird of humid foothill and highland forest and edge, adjacent

second growth, plantations. Mainly at mid–upper levels on branches, twigs,

amid foliage, hopping and clambering easily, at times hanging upside down to

poke into dead-leaf clusters; often with mixed flocks. Adult distinctive, with

contrasting rusty head, wings, tail. Juv. plumage (summer–fall) quite different,

cf. larger and much brighter Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner. SOUNDS: High nasal

chieh and high sharp tsip, at times in excited series. Song a fairly fast-paced,

accelerating series of high, thin to slightly sibilant chips, 1–2 secs, rising overall

and often ending in a rapid twittering trill; also longer series, to 5 secs or more, often with an overall rather

rippling cadence. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, mainly 700–2300m. (Costa Rica to w. Ecuador.)