White-browed Purpletuft

Attractive but rather local little bird of scrubby habitats and dense hedgerows in lowland desert. Mostly stays well hidden, hopping low to high in bushes and trees, tail sometimes held cocked. Sings from atop a bush or other prominent low perch. Readily identified by long spiky crest with a flashy white median patch. Male has solidly black face and throat while female has a whitish face and throat with black streaks. Immature has a plainer face with a whitish throat and shorter crest, but still has a big white flash in crest.

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.”

Overall rusty-colored, medium-sized flycatcher of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Favors middle to upper levels inside forest, where sits still for long periods and sallies out for insects and other small critters. Call is a distinctive slow wolf-whistle—“whee-wheeu,” given at infrequent intervals and easily imitated. Note the overall rusty plumage, slender bill, and behavior. Can be confused with slightly larger Rufous Piha, which has a bushier face, paler throat, and a very different voice.