Oaxaca Sparrow

Aimophila notosticta

Very local and endemic to interior of Oaxaca, where replaces larger and bulkier Rusty Sparrow (no known range overlap). Favors brushy woodland and edge and oak thickets with adjacent grassy areas. Usually rather skulking, on or near the ground, but often feeds at edges early and late in the day. Sings from more conspicuous perches in bushes and trees. Note the all-black bill and strong face pattern, with black lores setting off the broken white eyering.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Aimophila notosticta
Authority
(Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1868)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Passerellidae
Genus
Aimophila

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Russet-naped Wren

Russet-naped Wren

Campylorhynchus humilis

Large wren usually found in small groups, less often in pairs. Mainly found in thorn forest and dry scrubby habitats. Note boldly barred wings and tail and russet nape patch. At most only limited overlap with the formerly conspecific Rufous-backed Wren; in Russet-backed the barring and spotting on the upperparts is more prevalent, and whatever rufous coloration is present is generally not as bright. Often detected by its marvelous loud song, often given by multiple birds at once, which consists of various nasal and whistled notes, with some harsh elements mixed in.

Ross's Gull

Ross's Gull

Rhodostethia rosea

Long-winged, wedge-tailed, delicate seabird of far northern climates, nesting in open wet tundra and wintering around sea ice, occasionally moving into coastal areas. Breeding adult astonishingly beautiful: pearly gray above, rose-pink below, with coral-red legs, thin black collar, and tiny black bill. Nonbreeding adult has a tiny black dot near the ear and loses the black collar and much or all of the pink coloration. First-winter birds have blackish “M” pattern in upperwing and black tip on wedge-shaped tail. Flight graceful and buoyant.

Christmas Shearwater

Christmas Shearwater

Puffinus nativitatis

A medium-sized shearwater with uniformly dark brown plumage and no contrasting markings. Flies more steadily than most shearwaters and usually flies low over the water. Large numbers nest on most of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. A few pairs nest on Moku Manu Islet off the eastern coast of Oahu. Often seen from boats in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but rarely on the main islands and rarely from shore. The voice, usually heard only at breeding colonies, is a low moan.

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