Alpine Thrush

Gray-brown nightjar of wooded, open grassy, and scrubby areas; not restricted to jungles. Intricately patterned, with a golden patch behind the ear (often not visible on a resting bird) and pale tan spots on the wings. Male shows bright white patches near the wingtips and on the edges of the tail that are buffy-brown in females. Similar Savanna Nightjar is much more densely patterned and lacks the tan wing spots; Savanna also tends to roost on the ground, versus in trees for Jungle Nightjar. Song is utterly alien-sounding and unique: a long series of bouncing “pooKIHpooKIHpooKIH” notes, comparable to a cartoon laser gun.

Striking tuxedoed babbler with a slightly downcurved banana-yellow bill and bright white eyebrows. A foothill and montane species of forest, forest edge, and dense scrubby growth. Clambers and bounces about along branches and in the undergrowth, typically in pairs or small flocks. Song variations include brief series of hooting calls, accelerating and jumbled in the second half. Calls include various rattles and hoots; often duets.

Fairly large and long-tailed songbird found only in Baja California peninsula. Favors deserts with cactus, but also in adjacent scrubby woodland, thickets, and gardens. Feeds mainly on the ground, where runs well. Feeds less often in fruiting trees and bushes. Note the fairly long, slightly arched bill, golden eyes, and boldly spotted breast. Cactus Wren occurs in same areas and looks rather similar but is slightly smaller with white eyebrow, shorter bill, dark eyes, boldly barred tail, and different voice. Also note similar migrant Sage Thrasher, which is smaller, with smaller bill.