Eastern Rock Nuthatch

Small skulking wren of lowlands and foothills in West Mexico. Plumage rather plain, with bold white eyebrow and diffuse stripes on sides of neck. Compare with brighter rufous and buffy Happy Wren, which also has a more distinct black mustache stripe. Sinaloa Wren favors thorn forests, plantations, and thickets, often in slightly more open habitats than Happy Wren. Heard more often than seen. Song is a powerful series of rich whistles, quite different from sweeter Happy Wren song. Scolding calls vary, but does not make “comb trill” of Happy.

Tiny, with long wings and a short greenish bill with a small red base. Face and underparts are plain slaty gray on male, and buffy to whitish on female and juvenile. Adults have plain flanks and boldly barred undertail coverts. Juvenile has barred flanks; compare to similar Baillon’s Crake. Breeds in freshwater wetlands with extensive emergent vegetation, and spends the non-breeding season in a wide range of marshy habitats. Often favors deeper-water aquatic plant stands than other rails and crakes, clambering about nimbly amongst the vegetation. Usually retiring and rarely seen, but can be confiding. Males give a long song that starts with a series of “qwek” notes that eventually accelerates and tapers off; females respond with a descending trill with a similar quality.

Elusive, chunky brown bird of shady forest understory in humid tropical lowlands. Heard far more often than seen. Haunting, slurred whistle carries well and is easily imitated. Song given irregularly; not steadily repeated. Note the chunky build, drab dark olive-brown plumage with paler eyering accentuating big eye, and rather slender black bill. Tends to perch quietly and upright, then slips off like a ghost and not seen again.