White-collared Jay

The common and widespread bowerbird of montane forests. Fairly large, stocky brown like other closely-related species, but the male has a long, flowing, orange crest from the back of its head. The male builds a “Maypole” bower of sticks from a central pole and has a circular mossy arena at the base. Similar to the Streaked Bowerbird, but MacGregor's Bowerbird is found higher up and is larger and unstreaked. Call, a loud rasping. Various whistles and other sounds made at the bower, including mimicry.

Attractive dusty-blue jay; essentially looks like a washed-out scrub-jay. Found in pine-oak woodlands in mountains and canyons from Arizona to central Mexico. Eastern populations (occurring in the Big Bend region of Texas and south into Mexico) average darker and more contrasty, more similar to Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay. Look especially for plainer face on Mexican Jay. Typically found in flocks, sometimes up to a dozen or more individuals. Feeds primarily on acorns.

A plump ball on sticks. Uncommon and elusive on forest floor in humid evergreen forest of tropical lowlands and foothills; also in humid pine-oak and fir forest of mountains in central Mexico. Moves quickly and stealthily on long legs. May be seen feeding or hopping along quiet trails and roads. Flushes with a whir of wings without calling. Note obvious pale mustache and pale rusty underparts; dark scaly markings on upperparts often hard to see.