Little Woodswallow
Artamus minor
Chunky bird with broad, triangular wings and short, decurved bill. Dark brownish-gray plumage, lacking white in primaries (compare larger Dusky Woodswallow). Tail black with white tip broken by black at the center. Grayish underwings contrast with dark belly in flight, though not to the degree seen in other woodswallows. Usually in small flocks, foraging high above rocky cliffs and gorges, or huddled together when perched.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Artamus minor
- Authority
- Vieillot, 1817
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Artamidae
- Genus
- Artamus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ribbon-tailed Astrapia
Astrapia mayeri
A long-tailed bird of upper montane forest. The male has an iridescent green head and bib with a black chest band bordered with a thin gold stripe. Note the outlandishly long, white tail streamers. Female is blackish with barring on the belly and some iridescence on the head. Mainly eats fruit. Similar to Stephanie’s Astrapia, but Ribbon-tailed usually occurs at higher elevations. The female Ribbon-tailed has iridescence on the head and the male’s tail is white rather than black. Voice, excited, pulsing rasps.
Elegant Quail
Callipepla douglasii
Fairly common small game bird of open brushy woodland and overgrown weedy fields in tropical lowlands and foothills of northwest Mexico, sometimes near human settlement. Occurs in coveys for much of year, usually of 5–15 birds, which often feed along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Flushes explosively with shrieks when disturbed. Both sexes have a short, upright fan-shaped crest and bold white spotting on the belly. No other quail in most of its range and habitat; endemic.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Dryobates borealis
Rare and declining woodpecker found exclusively in open pine woodlands. Boldly patterned black and white; note especially prominent white cheek and barred back. Male's namesake red spot at back of crown is tiny and difficult to see. Typically seen in pairs or family groups. Listen for high, squeaky "peek" calls and lower "churr." Does not visit bird feeders.
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