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RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW onotrichia capensis 13.5–14.5cm. Distinc
tive and familiar bird of open and semi-open habitats in interior and highlands,
from cities to forest clearings. Feeds mainly on ground but sings from rooftops,
fence posts, other prominent perches. Nonbreeding flocks form locally in fall–
winter. Note peaked crown, boldly patterned head with rusty collar, muted on
streaky juv. SOUNDS: Slightly metallic hard chik, may be repeated steadily. Song
a short, notably varied arrangement of (usually 4–6) sweet slurred whistles,
such as ti heuu sii tcheu, sometimes preceded or followed by short chipping
series of 2–6 notes, such as swi heeuu chee ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch. STATUS: Common
to fairly common, mainly 600m to above timberline; locally down to 400m on Caribbean slope;
exceptional wanderer to lowlands. (Mexico to S America.)
VOLCANO JUNCO Junco vulcani 15.5–16.5cm. Rather large sparrow of open
grassy areas and roadsides in páramo, adjacent brushy thickets, weedy pastures;
historically in areas cleared by volcanic activity. Pairs, less often singles and family
groups, forage on ground, hopping strongly; also clambers in shrubs. Distinctive,
with pink bill, staring golden eyes. SOUNDS: Twangy smacking chip, slightly
squeakier than Rufous-collared Sparrow; high lisping ssip; greeting duet a slightly
burry nasal slow chatter. Song a short, slightly jerky phrase of burry chirps, such
as chípi-chur-chieh, 1–2 secs. STATUS: Fairly common around and above timber
line, mainly above 3000m; spreading downslope with deforestation, locally to
2500m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)
BUSH-TANAGERS (GENUS CHLOROSPINGUS) (3 species). Taxonomically vexed group of
social, arboreal small birds of humid foothill and highland forest; note distinctive head patterns. Ages
differ slightly, soon like adult; sexes similar. Formerly considered as tanagers, now as New World sparrows.
*MIDDLE AMERICAN [COMMON] BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus [flavo
pectus] ophthalmicus 13.5–14.5cm. Humid foothill and highland forest and
edge, adjacent second growth with fruiting shrubs. Mainly at low to mid-levels,
where active and often noisy in shady understory and edge; usually in small
groups, often a core species of mixed flocks. Dawn song can be from high perch,
difficult to trace. Distinctive, with white postocular spot, yellowish breast,
habits. SOUNDS: High sharp sik, at times in rapid twittering rattles; ascending,
high lisping ssih. ‘Song’ a rather rapid, accelerating, slightly squeaky warble or
chippering trill, overall rising or slightly overslurred, 1–2 secs. Dawn song a
high, sibilant, slightly emphatic, overslurred tssih, on and on, every 1–2 secs; easily passed off as a
hummingbird. STATUS: Common to fairly common on both slopes; mainly 1100–2300m on Pacific slope,
500–2300m on Caribbean slope. (Mexico to w. Panama.)
*ASHY-THROATED BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus canigularis 12.5–13.5cm.
Humid foothill forest and edge. In pairs or small groups, mainly at mid–upper
levels with mixed flocks; often forages hidden in leafy tangles. Notably drab;
note contrast between yellowish breast band and pale throat with subtle but
distinctive dusky whisker. Juv. more extensively yellowish below. SOUNDS: High,
downslurred chih and smacking tchik! Song (S America) a fairly rapid, sharp
ticking trill, often with spluttering cadence, 3–6 secs. STATUS: Scarce to un
common on cen. Caribbean slope, 400–1200m. (Costa Rica to Peru.)
SOOTY-CAPPED BUSH-TANAGER Chlorospingus pileatus 14–15cm. Humid
highland forest and edge, cloud forest, adjacent second growth and páramo. Usu-
ally in small groups ranging low to high, creeping along mossy branches, swarming
in fruiting shrubs; often a core species of mixed flocks. Bold head pattern distinc-
tive, cf. Middle American Bush-Tanager. Juv. duller overall but with same basic
pattern as adult. SOUNDS: Varied, high thin chips, often with slightly squeaky or
sibilant quality. Song a slightly jerky, fairly rapid, high squeaky warble, at times
incorporating short chippering trills, 1.5–3 secs; more prolonged when excited.
STATUS: Common to fairly common from timberline down to 1600m in Northern
Mts., down to 2000m in Central and Talamanca Mts. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)
