Tawny-breasted Honeyeater

Small, dark member of the waxbill family. The back is red, the wings and tail black, and the underparts dull olive. Males and females are similar, though males show a red patch on the face and females a pale yellow one. Found in middle-elevation montane forest, mainly in thick and wet areas, such as along streams, and including forest edge and glades. Inconspicuous bird that is usually found in pairs or small groups. The call is a high-pitched “tsit.” Similar in size and overall coloration to Abyssinian Crimsonwing, but paler, and shows red or yellow on the face.

Handsome blue-and-black jay of tropical forests, woodlands, and gardens endemic to west Mexico. Usually in small groups, which can be noisy and conspicuous or very quiet and easily overlooked; often with Yellow-winged Caciques. Around the town of San Blas (in Nayarit, Mexico), appreciably larger Purplish-backed Jay occurs at southern end of its range (and northern end of San Blas Jay’s range). Purplish-backed is deep purplish blue on back and tail, not strikingly two-toned blue-and-black like San Blas Jay, and has bright yellow legs. Voices also very different. Purplish-backed occurs in mangroves and adjacent woodlands in and around town while San Blas Jay occurs in foothill forest of coffee plantations south of town.

A large, slender pipit that is usually found in rocky areas. Note the pale eyebrow, long tail, and relatively long bill. Prefers dry, open areas with clumps of vegetation and scattered rocks and boulders, typically on slopes. Calls include squeaky sparrow-like chirps and sweet two-noted whistles. Song is a sequence of plaintive whistles, chirps, and other call-like vocalizations strung together with pauses in between. As with many other pipits, can be frustratingly difficult to identify in the field. Habitat and voice are important clues. Very similar to Mountain Pipit, but less streaky, especially on the breast. Larger than African Pipit, with buffy rather than white outer tail feathers.