Black Fantail

A small, fast-flying petrel with long narrow wings and bright white underparts. Found singly or in loose aggregations, well offshore in warmer Pacific waters, mainly from March to August. Flight varies from low and weaving, into the wind, to high and arcing across the wind. Note gray cap and upperparts with dark M pattern across upperwings and dark tail tip. Underparts are white with very narrow black margins to wings. Many birds off Mexican coast are in wing molt.

A largish, slow-moving warbler that inhabits thick vegetation from marshes to pine woodlands with dense thatch-palm undergrowth. Rather similar to Common Yellowthroat, but larger and more robust with a proportionately heavier bill. Males are entirely yellow below unlike Common Yellowthroats of eastern North America. The black mask of the Bahama Yellowthroat does not narrow towards the bill as it typically does in the Common. On the Andros Islands and New Providence, the crown is gray, unlike Common. Similarly, female Bahama Yellowthroats are more extensive yellow below but often have some gray on the lower belly. Songs and calls resemble those of Common, but the “tchuck” note lacks vibrato.

This strikingly beautiful sparrow is found in wet meadows with tall grass. Look for the bright orange-buff face with a silvery cheek, spotted purplish-gray nape, and crisp black streaking on buffy underparts. Secretive; difficult to see well unless a male is perched up singing. Most similar to Nelson's Sparrow but typically found in slightly drier habitats; also note white stripe down center of crown on LeConte's. Sings a dry, hissing trill with sharp introductory notes.