Moustached Laughingthrush

Large, plain tanager, gray overall with hints of olive-green in good light; note contrasting black wings with paler patch at base of primaries. A habitat generalist often found around palm trees and in open shrubby areas, gardens, and forest edges. Usually in pairs or small flocks, sometimes with other species. Often quite noisy and conspicuous; gives a series of sputtering squeaks or a single nasal “swee?”

A pallid, medium-small, compact lark with a pale stout bill that appears swollen and a streaky crest that is often raised. The upperparts are sandy brown with indistinct dark streaks, the face is plain with a distinct eyebrow, and the breast shows very diffuse streaking on whitish underparts. Highly nomadic; small to very large flocks can appear after rains, sometimes associating with sparrow-larks or buntings, preferring arid grasslands on plains and gravel rather than sandy substrates. The species performs an aerial display with trills, whistles, and chirps. Often it rests in shade during the heat of the day with the crest raised, mouth open, eyes half shut, and wings drooped to aid in cooling.

Yellow-bellied trogon with yellowish eyering and bill. Male has shimmering green-blue upperparts and chest; female is brown. Underside of tail barred black and white with large white tips. Upperside of tail usually coppery-green (browner on female). Found in forested areas, usually sitting still at low to middle heights (often lower than other trogons in range). Male from Gartered Trogon by head and chest color (greener, not cobalt blue), yellower bill, and voice. Brown color of female is distinctive, unlike slaty-gray of female Gartered. Listen for song, a slow, evenly-spaced series of 5-9 slurred whistled notes.