Galapagos Martin

Small, uncommon cotinga; usually seen perched in the uppermost bare branches of a high tree. At a distance, appears mostly black with a conspicuous white line down center of breast. Poorly known; found in tall rainforest and lower-stature forests on white sand where it is often seen in pairs or small groups. Feeds on fruit. Size, shape, and habit of perching in bare treetops recall the much more common Swallow-winged Puffbird, which lacks purpletuft’s white breast stripe. Calls are soft, indistinct whistles.

A nondescript buffy-brown bird found in high elevation grasslands and farmland from western Venezuela to Bolivia. Occurs from around 2,500 to 4,500 m. Upperparts have prominent dark streaking, but underparts are mostly clean buffy with only limited streaking on the upper breast and neck sides. Legs and bill are pinkish. Usually seen singly, walking on the ground or occasionally perched on a small shrub or fencepost. The only pipit in much of its range (north of central Peru); southward, note cleaner underparts (especially flanks) than possible confusion species like Hellmayr’s Pipit.

Only in Mexico. Fairly common small hummingbird of dry coastal scrub in northern Yucatan Peninsula; also very local in dry scrub of central Veracruz. Favors fairly open areas with low scrubby bushes and agave plants. Note the long and slightly arched bill and the long tail, which is usually held closed in a single point. Striking male is distinctive if you are lucky enough to see one. Females and immatures have a distinctive dusky cheek stripe, and usually outnumber adult males by at least 5 to 1.