Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii

The nightingale-thrushes reach their maximum diversity in Middle America, where the Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush is one of the most widespread of the genus. This elusive denizen of montane forests is found over both the Pacific and Caribbean slopes, from southern Mexico south to western Panama. The species inhabits the understory of a range of habitat types, including evergreen and coniferous forests, principally at 1500–3500 m elevation. In plumage, the Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush is a fairly typical Catharus, being principally brown above, including the rufous crown, which is marginally the brightest tract of feathers, while the underparts are mainly gray-white. Like other Catharus species, the best chance to observe it comes with using call playback, or to slowly and quietly walk a suitable forest trail in the early morning or late afternoon, when the birds are more likely to feed in the open. Although it is not considered to be of conservation concern at the global level, it is regarded as such at the national level in some range states, as it is locally threatened by both anthropogenic and natural processes.