Gray-hooded Babbler

Stocky, medium-sized shorebird with relatively short bill and legs. Combination of shape, overall color, and bill size usually distinctive. Beautiful breeding plumage shows entirely salmon-orange underparts and silvery wings with intricate patterning. Nonbreeding is plain gray with pale underparts and a white eyebrow; juvenile similar but with scaly pattern on wings. Usually shows dark barring on flanks. Legs are dull greenish or gray. Widespread and fairly common, breeding on high Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines around the globe, as far south as Tierra del Fuego. Most numerous on beaches and mudflats; less common inland. Occurs in flocks, often mixed with other shorebirds. Compare with larger, lankier, longer-billed Great Knot in Asia and Australia. Feeds on a variety of small invertebrates; West Atlantic population reliant on horseshoe crab eggs during spring migration.

Rather large sparrow with flat head and long bill. Dull brownish overall with darker streaks on back; subtle head pattern with slightly darker crown and eyeline. Primarily a Mexican species with two populations, both of which barely enter the U.S.; western birds brighter than eastern birds. Prefers grasslands with some shrubs. Shy, but perches conspicuously when singing. Similar to Cassin's Sparrow; note flatter head, longer bill, lack of eyering, and voice. Gives a series of sharp varied chips and a fast trill; much different than Cassin's sweet song.

Striking tanager of open woodland and scrub in high elevations of the east slope of the Andes in central and southern Bolivia and extreme NW Argentina; including agricultural lands, and open Polylepis woodland. From Black-and-chestnut Warbling-Finch by white throat and paler underparts in Bolivian. Rufous band across breast distinguishes it from the similar, but gray-breasted Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch.