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WORM-EATING WARBLER  Helmitheros vermivorum 12–13cm. Winter mi­

grant to forest, woodland, second growth. Forages mainly from mid-levels to

subcanopy, typically poking into vine tangles and dead-leaf clusters; joins

mixed flocks. Distinctive, with boldly striped head, buffy underparts; cf. Black-

eared Warbler. SOUNDS: Rich sharp tchik and high, slightly buzzy tssi, often

doubled, cf. Golden-winged Warbler. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce Sep–Mar

on both slopes, to 1500m; more widespread in migration, late Aug–Oct, Apr.

(Breeds e. US, winters Mexico to Panama.)

OVENBIRD  Seiurus aurocapilla 13.5–14.5cm. Winter migrant to forest, wood­

land, plantations, typically with abundant leaf litter. Walks purposefully on forest

floor (unlike thrushes, which hop), often with tail held cocked, foraging in leaf

litter; agitated birds perch low to high, walking along branches. Distinctive, but

cf. migrant Catharus thrushes (p. 330). SOUNDS: Full, slightly smacking tchip

or chiuk, often repeated steadily when agitated. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common Oct–Apr on both slopes, to 1500m; more widespread in migration,

Sep–Oct, Apr to mid-May. (Breeds N America, winters Mexico to Panama.)

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH  Parkesia noveboracensis 13.5–14.5cm. Winter

migrant to varied wetland habitats, from mangroves to small ponds, lakeshores,

slow-moving streams; usually in areas of sluggish or stagnant water. Often

rather retiring; walks on ground, pumping its rear end. Little habitat overlap

with Louisiana Waterthrush, which favors flowing water. Louisiana has bolder

whiter eyebrow and peachy-buff flanks (eyebrow and flanks same tone on

Northern); sparser, less dense dark streaking below; deeper bobbing motion of

shorter tail; note voice. SOUNDS: Bright metallic chink, higher and brighter than

Louisiana. STATUS: Common (especially in mangroves) to fairly common Sep–

Apr on both slopes, mainly below 1500m; more widespread in migration, late Aug–Oct, Apr to mid-May,

ranging to 2200m. (Breeds n. N America, winters Mexico to nw. S America.)

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH  Parkesia motacilla 14–15cm. Winter migrant to

streams and rivers, especially in foothills, less often lake margins, humid forest

floor; other habitats in migration, but rarely if ever in mangroves. Walks on

ground with deep bobbing of rear end, often swung slightly side-to-side; pokes

in leaf litter and shallow water. Cf. slightly smaller-billed, dingier, and more

densely streaked Northern Waterthrush. SOUNDS: Full metallic chiuk, deeper and

less tinny than Northern. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common but low-density,

Sep–Mar on both slopes to 2500m; more widespread in migration, late Jul–Sep,

Mar to mid-Apr. (Breeds e. N America, winters Mexico to nw. S America.)

BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER  Myiothlypis fulvicauda 12–13cm. Attractive and

distinctive resident of streams, riverbanks, and other waterside habitats in

forested and semi-open areas of humid lowlands and foothills. Pairs territorial

year-round, hopping along shorelines and among rocks to forage, at times out

on damp dirt roads and in pastures; tail fanned and dipped to continually show

off contrasting pale buff tail coverts and tail base, which glows in forest shade

and is striking in flight. SOUNDS: Song carries over rushing water: a measured,

staccato series of chips, typically starts with a few slower-paced, higher notes

and runs into an overall descending, increasingly loud, and often slightly

slowing series of rich whistled notes, the ending often arrestingly powerful: see see see chu-chu-chu-chu...

CHU-CHU CHU, 3–4.5 secs, repeated every few secs. Call a sharp gravelly chit, often doubled.

STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, locally to 1500m. (Honduras to S America.)