Andaman Cuckooshrike

Drab olive overall with white eyering, bold wingbars, and thick bill. Found in forested areas with a mix of oak and conifers, usually foraging in the middle levels. Often in mixed flocks with other small songbirds. Resident along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to northern Baja and in interior mountains from Arizona and Texas to Guatemala. Remarkably similar to Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but thicker-billed and more sluggish; also note bluish legs. Also compare with Dwarf Vireo in Mexico. Listen for distinctive repetitive song of clear or buzzy notes.

An uncommon spinetail found in dry forest in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru; threatened by habitat loss. Plumage is gray with a darker face and throat, rusty wings, and a long, grayish tail. Skulks in dense tangles in the forest understory, where it is usually quite hard to see well, and sometimes hops around on the ground. Most common vocalization is a short, rising trill repeated every few seconds.

Chunky, thick-billed sparrow that prefers wide open habitats. Breeding males are unmistakable: mostly jet black with a bold white wing patch. Nonbreeding males and females are overall streaky brown, but still show white wing patch. Always look for the thick silvery bill. Breeds in grasslands, especially shortgrass prairies. In migration and winter, can be found in open areas from grassland to desert to agricultural areas. Sometimes gathers in huge flocks in winter. Usually seen on the ground or perched on a fence.