Japanese Thrush

Scarce bird of tropical forest and woodland, from lowlands to highlands. Usually seen as singles or pairs at middle to upper levels, especially at fruiting trees; often travels with mixed-species feeding flocks of tanagers, orioles, warblers, etc. Tends to perch rather upright and quietly, easily overlooked. Male striking: gray, black, and white; no similar species in Mexico. Female is smaller than female Rose-throated Becard, with short pale eyebrow, contrasting wing and tail patterns (note graduated tail feathers). West Mexican female has rusty cap; elsewhere cap is blackish.

This skulking species lives in humid tropical lowlands, favoring thickets and tangles at forest edges and along streams. Often heard song of piping whistles usually reveals the presence of Dusky Antbirds, which usually occur in pairs but are difficult to see clearly. Male is slaty gray overall with narrow whitish wingbars. Female has a rusty “blank” face and rusty underparts.

Medium-sized swift with powerful but erratic flight. Note the all-dark plumage and the slightly pinched-in and paddle-shaped wings. Seen in flight over lowland rainforest, including forest edges, clearings, and rivers. Often joins mixed flocks with other spinetails, swifts, and swallows. Can be mistaken for several species of large all-dark swifts, but distinguished by the shorter, squared-off tail and the pinched-in wings. Similar in shape to other spinetails, but identified by the all-dark underparts and rump.