Gray-browed Wren

Chunky medium-sized parrot with a long tail, bright green plumage with slightly yellower underparts, and a red forehead and eyeline. Some blue in the flight feathers most visible in flight. Uncommon and local; found in remnant patches of higher-quality habitat and often encountered feeding on the seeds of casuarinas. Calls relatively high-pitched and nasal, higher-pitched than the calls of Horned Parakeet.

Plump bird with a short tail and long legs. Unmistakable within its range. Has a brownish back, spotted breast, and rusty sides. Found hopping quietly on the ground or perching in the understory of deciduous wooded caatinga (dry scrubby forest). The song is a series of 12-14 notes, starting with four notes alternating in pitch, and finishing with descending whistles e.g. “piupiu-piupiu tetju tetju tetju tetjutu.”

Large, striking, long-tailed sparrow of western North America, from Canada to Guatemala. Black above with white spots on wings and back, bright rufous sides, and white belly. Eye is staring red. In flight, note white corners on tail. Also note females are grayer than males. Most similar to Eastern Towhee. Spotted shows more extensive white wing markings than Eastern, but note Spotted never shows the single bold white patch seen on the folded wing of Eastern. Hybridizes with Eastern Towhee in central North America; hybrids usually show intermediate wing pattern. Some populations in Mexico have olive tones on the upperparts and also hybridize with Collared Towhee. Inhabits scrubby areas and forest edges with thickets. Forages primarily by hopping along ground, scraping away leaf litter. Males sing from atop shrubs and low trees. Visits feeders.