African Spotted Creeper

Handsome arboreal bird restricted to wet cloud forest in the western Andes. Its conspicuous neck tufts are often tinged with buff and can be flared out if the bird is excited or agitated. Similar to Streaked Tuftedcheek, but neck markings are usually tinged buffy (not pure white) and appear more like discreet patches rather than a single, unbroken scarf. Also note its darker chestnut plumage and unstreaked back. Probes epiphytes or clumps of moss high up in large trees, and often accompanies mixed species flocks. Song is a rattle followed by a thin, descending whistle, and is often preceded by a series of sharp, metallic chip notes. Formerly considered a subspecies of Buffy Tuftedcheek.

Essentially a desert-dwelling cardinal, found in brushy areas of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Shaped much like a Northern Cardinal but with a longer, thinner crest and more rounded bill shape. Plumage is mostly gray with red highlights on the face, crest, belly, wings, and tail. Bill color is usually yellowish, but grayer on immatures. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often visiting bird feeders. Song is similar to Northern Cardinal but higher-pitched and more piercing.

A stout green inhabitant of wooded habitats; typically found in flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. No other native parrot occurs within its range. The brick red patch on its lower belly, which can be difficult to see, eliminates non-native species that may have escaped from captivity. Calls include a scratchy “wheep-uh-uh” with a “wheep” and “uh-uh” sometimes given separately, and a harsh, quick “for-get.”