Subdesert Brush-Warbler

Spectacular large hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands and foothills; endemic to west Mexico. Favors shady forest understory and edges, especially with patches of Heliconia flowers. Males sit and sing tirelessly from perches in the understory while pumping their tail. When feeding, hovers briefly with long white tail streamers held nearly vertical and shoots off with an explosive squeak. Note the striped face, very long, arched bill, and rather drab plumage. No similar hummingbird species in its range.

A colorful blue-and-orange flycatcher. Entirely dark blue above and orange below, including most of throat. Pairs and singles inhabit understory of forest, edges, and patches from lowlands to mountains, although scarce in mountains. Differs from Rufous-throated and Snowy-browed Flycatchers in the orange belly, and from male Blue-fronted Blue Flycatcher in the largely orange throat. Female’s blue back separates her from female Blue-fronted Blue Flycatcher. Warbling song starts with high-pitched rising notes before descending into a short, lower-pitched warble. Also gives metallic “tchak” notes.

Largish shearwater that is superficially similar to Cory's Shearwater, but distinctly smaller (by 10-20%) with a more slender bill that lacks a prominent yellow base. Wings narrower and tail slightly longer than Cory’s with a darker head. Breeds only on Cape Verde islands. Roams the central and southern Atlantic.