Blacksmith Thrush

Large flycatcher with an extremely long, forked tail. Pale gray overall with darker wings and a salmon-colored wash on the belly. In flight, look for brighter salmon underwings. Juveniles are duller and shorter-tailed than adults, but still distinctive. Breeds in open country of Texas and neighboring states, where it is often seen on fenceposts and utility wires. Winters mainly on the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America, where it sometimes gathers in large flocks. Might be confused with Fork-tailed Flycatcher in winter range, but note paler plumage with salmon underwings.

Small tanager with gray body and chestnut head. Underparts paler than upperparts, and belly white. Female similar to male but with paler throat. Very active foraging for insects, often in pairs, small groups, or in mixed-species flocks in the canopy or lower in the forest border. Locally common in humid forests and second growth woodland in foothills. Vocalizations are accelerating sharp kiss-like notes. No similar species in range.

A slim, pale raptor with a very long scissor-like tail. Gray above and white below, typically with small black marks on the shoulders. Found in dry savanna, thornscrub, and grassland. Often found in flocks at large communal roosts. The call is a zippy series of “veet” notes. Similar to Black-shouldered Kite, but slimmer and longer-tailed, with much smaller black shoulder patches.