Spot-breasted Oriole

Small drongo with a slightly notched tail. Found in open forest, thick woodland, and thickets. Not as bold or conspicuous as the common Fork-tailed Drongo. Often in pairs. Song is an explosive and highly variable mix of whistles, squeals, and rasps. Similar to Velvet-mantled and Fork-tailed drongos, but with a much less forked tail. Very similar to Shining Drongo, but Square-tailed has less glossy plumage, a redder eye, and prefers drier habitats. Distinguished from black-flycatchers by heavier bill and red eye. Upright posture is unlike other all-black mid-sized birds.

Large flycatcher with an extremely long, forked tail. Pale gray overall with darker wings and a salmon-colored wash on the belly. In flight, look for brighter salmon underwings. Juveniles are duller and shorter-tailed than adults, but still distinctive. Breeds in open country of Texas and neighboring states, where it is often seen on fenceposts and utility wires. Winters mainly on the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America, where it sometimes gathers in large flocks. Might be confused with Fork-tailed Flycatcher in winter range, but note paler plumage with salmon underwings.

A green and brown barbet with prominent pale streaks on its brown head and breast. The brown throat and green wings with white speckling on the shoulders are characteristic of this species. Also note the large area of dull yellow facial skin and the brown-yellow bill that both turn orange-red when breeding. Immature is similar but duller. Heard more often than seen. Several calls exist, but the most common call is similar to the White-cheeked Barbet’s “kutrook-kutrook-kutrook,” but it is more mellow, sonorous, and less sharp sounding. Generally prefers drier woodlands compared to White-cheeked Barbet though they co-occur in many localities.