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SILVER-THROATED TANAGER  Tangara icterocephala 13–13.5cm. Humid

foothill forest, adjacent clearings, gardens, second growth with taller trees. In

small groups or pairs, mainly at mid–upper levels; often with mixed flocks. No

similar species in Costa Rica; note overall yellow plumage with pale gray throat,

dark whisker, striped back. Juv. duller, greener overall, but still has dark whisker,

lacks cheek patch of Emerald Tanager. SOUNDS: High, often distinctly buzzy

and insect-like chips, including wiry tssir and high, short, cicada-like buzz.

STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes, mainly 600–2100m; some

descend to lowlands in fall rainy season. (Costa Rica to w. Ecuador.)

EMERALD TANAGER  Tangara florida 12–12.5cm. Humid foothill forest,

adjacent clearings, second growth with taller trees. In pairs or small groups,

mainly at mid–upper levels; usually with mixed flocks. No similar species in

Costa Rica; note overall green plumage with dark cheek patch, striped back.

Juv. duller and more olive overall, but with same basic pattern as adult.

SOUNDS: High, fairly sharp, downslurred or overslurred tsip or chik!, at times

run into twitters. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on Caribbean slope,

mainly 350–1100m. (Costa Rica to nw. Ecuador.)

SPECKLED TANAGER  Tangara (Ixothraupis) guttata 12.5–13cm. Humid foot­

hill forest, adjacent clearings, second growth with taller trees. In pairs or small

groups, mainly at mid–upper levels; often with mixed flocks. No similar species

in Costa Rica; note dense dark spotting below, dark lores and yellow spectacles.

Juv. duller and messier overall but with same basic pattern as adult.

SOUNDS: High sharp sik, at times in short twittering series; song a few high tiks

run into rapid, dry, downslurred trill, overall about 2 secs. STATUS: Uncommon

to fairly common on both slopes, mainly 400–1400m. (Costa Rica to n. S

America.)

BAY-HEADED TANAGER  Tangara gyrola 13–13.5cm. Humid foothill forest,

adjacent clearings, second growth with taller trees. In pairs or small groups,

mainly at mid–upper levels; often with mixed flocks. One of the more familiar

and striking Tangara tanagers, with blue underparts, dark rusty head, cf. smaller

and generally scarce Rufous-winged Tanager. SOUNDS:  High, downslurred,

slightly metallic and relatively loud ringing tsíer; high lisping tssi, and fairly hard

smacking tik, at times in short series. Song a slow warble of high thin lisping

chips, 2–3 secs. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1800m on Pacific

slope, mainly 500–1500m on Caribbean slope, with some moving to adjacent

lowlands in fall rainy season. (Nicaragua to S America.)

RUFOUS-WINGED TANAGER  Tangara lavinia 12.5–13cm. Scarce tanager of

humid foothill forest, adjacent clearings, second growth with taller trees. In

pairs or small groups, mainly at mid–upper levels; often with mixed flocks that

include antwrens and flycatchers, rather than with classic tanager-dominated

flocks. Male told from slightly larger Bay-headed Tanager by overall green body,

golden-yellow shawl, rufous wings (rufous on wings can be hard to see from

below, may simply look dull, or dark, but note contrast with flanks); female

from juv. Bay-headed by overall green body (turquoise belly can be striking

when overhead), dull bronzy wings. Juv. resembles female but duller overall.

SOUNDS: High, downslurred tsi, and squeaky overslurred tsíi; rapid, high sharp chatters. STATUS: Scarce to

uncommon locally on Caribbean slope, mainly 250–800m. (Honduras to nw. Ecuador.)