Orange-bellied Euphonia

A very large bluish-purple waterbird with a red bill and forehead shield, as well as red legs and feet with long toes. The tail is flicked up often, revealing fluffy white “underpants.” Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the red bill and shield. An inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies such as swamps, rivers, and lakes; usually in small groups. Feeds, often clumsily, at muddy water edges, in reeds, and on floating vegetation. Makes short nasal grunts and croaking sounds. Formerly part of the species known as Purple Swamphen.

Essentially a desert-dwelling cardinal, found in brushy areas of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Shaped much like a Northern Cardinal but with a longer, thinner crest and more rounded bill shape. Plumage is mostly gray with red highlights on the face, crest, belly, wings, and tail. Bill color is usually yellowish, but grayer on immatures. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often visiting bird feeders. Song is similar to Northern Cardinal but higher-pitched and more piercing.

Widespread but often local large wren with pronounced geographic variation in appearance. Usually in small groups, less often in pairs. Mainly found in thorn forest and dry scrubby habitats, but also sometimes in more humid scrub and semiopen areas. All populations have boldly barred wings and tail and bright rusty nape patch. On coastal slope of Chiapas compare to Giant Wren, but note the general lack of barring and larger size of that species. Often detected by its marvelous loud song, which consists of various bubbly, whistled, nasal, or harsh notes and is often given by multiple birds at once.