Sinaloa Martin

Large dark drongo of open forested environments. Glossy black with a characteristically forked tail. Immature speckled with grayish-white on lower breast and belly. Thick dark bill gives a generally heavier-headed appearance than other similar dark drongos such as Black Drongo, with which it shares parts of its range; also prefers more forested environments than the latter. Aggressive and territorial, particularly during the breeding season, frequently mobbing raptors and corvids with great vigor. Like other drongos, boasts a varied repertoire; songs include a ringing “tsee-goo-gohgee!” Calls include bell-like gurgling notes, harsh chattering, and piercing whistles.

Stocky and often rather sluggish bird of tropical forest and edge in lowlands and foothills of northeast Mexico. Usually found as singles or pairs, feeding quietly at all levels in fruiting trees or bushes. Note the thick stubby bill and rather long tail. Adult male is striking: dark overall with a black hood and broad pinkish-red collar. Female is drab greenish overall with black hood similar to male. Immature is like female but with less extensive black hood.

Gorgeous cloud forest tanager found in scattered locations along the east slope of the Andes; rare in most of its range. Distinctive male is black and buffy-yellow with a turquoise throat. Female is quite different and might be mistaken for other female tanagers such as Silvery, Black-capped, Green-capped, or Sira; note her bluish head and her yellow back and flanks, which contrast with her white belly. Usually found with mixed-species canopy flocks, often with other tanagers.