Black-winged Snowfinch

Scarce cotinga restricted to dry lowland forest in northwestern Peru. Male is gray with a reddish belly and forehead and white wingbars. Female is gray and buff with strong black streaking. Both sexes have a shaggy crest and a yellow eye. Found in areas with abundant mesquite and acacia trees, where it feeds mainly on leaves, buds, and other plant parts. It is usually first detected by its weird, buzzy calls that sound a lot like a kazoo.

Brightly-colored inhabitant of wooded and forested habitats, parks, gardens, and hedges in farmland. Plumage distinctive, with blue cap, white face with dark line through eyes, yellow underparts. Smaller and more active than Great Tit, which often occurs alongside Eurasian Blue Tit but has a very different head pattern, different calls. Juvenile (seen in summer–early autumn) has yellowish wash to face, drabber plumage overall. Often visits bird feeders and uses nest boxes. Listen for variable high-pitched vocalizations, as well as harsh scolding calls.

A vocal, gregarious inhabitant of many habitats, although avoids dense woods; often found near human habitation. Note the glossy purple-black plumage, medium-length squared tail, and somewhat thick bill. Similar species include Shiny Cowbird, Red-shouldered Blackbird, and Greater Antillean Grackle. The male Shiny Cowbird is smaller, shorter-billed, and has even glossier plumage than the Cuban Blackbird. The Greater Antillean Grackle has pale (not dark) eyes, a narrower bill and a longer tail. The female Red-shouldered Blackbird is a bit smaller with a narrower bill, and is less glossy. Vocalizations include “schee-o” and a loud “chuck,” both metallic and given singly or in series. Also common is a “chok, chok, chok, lee, lee, lee.”