Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow

Restricted to the rocky coastline of northern and central Chile, where it is rarely seen far from crashing waves; also ranges to adjacent sandy beaches at river mouths. Usually seen as singles or pairs, foraging in the intertidal zone, or singing with wings raised and fluttered from seaside rocks. Largest cinclodes in Chile and identified by very narrow whitish eyebrow, bold white breast streaking, and rather stout bill, which it uses to smash open small crabs. Other cinclodes occur alongside Seaside Cinclodes mainly in winter.

Attractive jay of oak woodlands and piñon-juniper forests. Royal blue above with gray-brown back and dirty grayish underparts. Flight style is often distinctive, a series of quick wingbeats followed by a stiff glide. Typically in small groups. Listen for scratchy, nasal calls. Regularly visits backyards and feeders. Most similar to California Scrub-Jay (and once considered the same species), but usually separable by range. Also note Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay is paler and more washed-out, with only a diffuse blue breast band. Population in central Mexico, often called Sumichrast’s Scrub-Jay, is darker and more contrasty than a typical Woodhouse’s, and might be a separate species.

Blackish, chicken-like marsh bird, often found near cattails, never far from water. Often seen swimming, picking at the water's surface, or walking along the edge of aquatic vegetation. Thick legs and long toes are drab yellow. Adults have bright red bill with yellow tip, thin white side stripe, and some white under the tail. Immatures are paler and grayer than adults, lacking brightly colored bill.