Black-billed Barbet

Striking white-bodied storm-petrel with distinctive flight style: glides on stiff wings and bounces across the sea surface with both feet, much like a hopping kangaroo. Plumage also unique; look for mostly white face with dark mask. Also note extremely long legs projecting far beyond tail and rather long, slender bill. Fairly common and widespread in subtropical and tropical waters across the globe, with several disjunct and subtly variable populations. Can be seen singly or in groups when feeding; rarely mixes with other species of storm-petrel.

Large, dark hummingbird found in coastal regions and along large rivers. Use caution eliminating the more widespread Black-throated Mango, which often occurs in the same habitats; female-plumaged birds in particular may not be safely separable. Found in mangroves, abandoned plantations, swampy forests, and urban areas, often at higher levels in flowering trees, where it feeds on nectar and hawks for tiny flying insects. In proper light, green throat of male is diagnostic. Tail color is useful if bird can be studied at length; Green-throated’s tail is mostly purple, with brownish central tail feathers (tail of Black-throated is more chestnut, but subject to variation depending on light).

Handsome, rather large jay. Common in tropical forest and woodland of northwest Mexico where it is endemic. Usually in small groups, which can be noisy and conspicuous or very quiet and easily overlooked. Deep purplish-blue back, wings, and tail do not contrast strongly with black head and body (can look blackish overall at a distance). Note piercing pale eyes and bright yellow legs and feet. Like other related jays, immature has yellow bill and dull eyes. Compare with San Blas Jay (both occur around town of San Blas, Nayarit, where, ironically, Purplish-backed is generally the only species found in town).