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SPANGLE-CHEEKED TANAGER  Tangara dowii 12.5–13cm. Humid high­

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

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

Plumage distinctive among Costa Rican tanagers, with cinnamon belly, black

face, boldly patterned neck sides. Juv. duller and messier overall but with same

basic pattern as adult. SOUNDS: High, thin, sharp tik and t’sik, at times in short

series; song a high, thin, slightly jerky twittering, 2–3 secs. STATUS:  Fairly

common on both slopes, mainly 1200–3000m, locally down to 800m. (Costa

Rica to w. Panama.)

BLACK-AND-YELLOW TANAGER  Chrysothlypis chrysomelas 12–12.5cm.

Small, rather warbler-like tanager of humid lower foothill forest and edge,

adjacent taller second growth. In small groups or pairs at mid–upper levels,

often with mixed flocks; forages mainly in leafy outer foliage. Note size and

shape, with slender dark bill; male striking and unmistakable; female can be

puzzling (cf. Tennessee Warbler, p. 358) but often with male. Juv. resembles

female but male brighter overall. SOUNDS:  High, slightly tinny or wiry

downslurred tsyih and high sharp chips, at times combined into short sharp

twitters and chatters. STATUS:  Fairly common locally on Caribbean slope,

mainly 400–1200m. (Costa Rica to nw. Colombia.)

BLUE-AND-GOLD TANAGER  Bangsia arcaei 15–16cm. Chunky, medium-

size tanager of humid lower foothill forest, adjacent second growth with taller

trees and fruiting shrubs. In pairs or small groups, mainly at mid–upper levels.

Often with mixed flocks; forages sluggishly along mossy trunks and at epiphytes,

also in fruiting trees. Nothing really similar in Costa Rica, but cf. much smaller

euphonias (pp. 388–391). Juv. duller overall with brownish eyes. SOUNDS: High,

thin, under- then overslurred wiry t’siíuu, about 0.5 sec; high, shrill, downslurred

tsiih. Song a slightly jerky phrase of (usually 3) high, slightly metallic, squeaky

or wheezy notes, whí-chi-píih, at times repeated steadily in pulses of 2–3

phrases. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on n. Caribbean slope, mainly 400–1200m. (Costa Rica

to w. Panama.)

SULPHUR-RUMPED TANAGER  Heterospingus rubrifrons 16–17cm. Medium-

large tanager of humid lowland forest, adjacent taller second growth and

overgrown clearings. In pairs or small groups, mainly at mid–upper levels of

foliage; often with mixed flocks. No similar species in Costa Rica, but bright

yellow rump difficult to see from below; note long stout bill, white chest

tufts. Juv. duller and sootier overall, but with same basic pattern as adult.

SOUNDS: High, thin, slightly buzzy to squeaky downslurred tzziih and other

high thin chips, at times doubled or in short series. STATUS: Uncommon on s.

Caribbean slope, to 700m. (Costa Rica to Panama.)