Plumbeous Vireo

Odd medium-sized brownish woodpecker with a short dark bill. Overall coloration and wing markings vary considerably across a wide range. Males have a red patch under the eye. Gives a range of loud, insistent calls, including a sharp “weep weep weep!” Distinctive drum accelerates then trails off. Forages throughout the levels of the forest, often with mixed-species flocks. Frequently drills into ant nests.

Distinctive small swallow with blue-black upperparts, a very large white rump patch, and snow-white underparts. Juvenile in late summer and autumn is duller above and dingier below than adult. Very similar to Asian House-Martin, but note white rump patch extending further up back, brighter white underparts, and slightly larger size. Compare also with other swallows and House Swift; note the relatively shallowly forked and streamerless tail, fluttery flight, and clean white underparts. In west of range, overlaps with very similar Western House-Martin (formerly treated as one species); note present species’ significantly larger rump patch. Breeds colonially, frequently building mud nests under the eaves of buildings; forages over varied open and semi-open habitats, especially water bodies and adjacent fields. Gives a soft burbling trill.

The darkest of the three rosy-finches with a dark chocolate body. Look for pink highlights in the wings and tail; gray wraps around the back of head. Often in mixed flocks in winter with other rosy-finches. Breeds on cliffs at high elevation; difficult to find in the summer. Feeds on seeds and insects. Look for them foraging on alpine snowfields. Visits feeders, primarily in winter.