Cinnamon-breasted Warbler

Small hummingbird of desert habitats in southwestern U.S., western Mexico, and Baja. Compact and short-tailed with a slightly drooping bill. Male has a brilliant purple crown and throat that extends down to a point on each side; can appear black in poor lighting. Females are plainer with greenish back and dingy grayish underparts. Note pale eyebrow that wraps around the dark cheek, droopy bill, and dumpy, short-tailed shape to help separate from similar hummingbirds (especially Anna’s and Black-chinned). Wanders from the desert after breeding, visiting more varied habitats including backyards with sugar water feeders. Listen for very high-pitched song.

Small, dark flowerpiercer with typical upturned, hooked bill. Slaty-blackish body with grayish spotted or scaled underparts and mostly black wings. Sexes similar. Common, usually alone or in pairs, piercing flowers in shrubby areas and forest edges. Call a high-pitched note typical of flowerpiercers; song a four-note “chip ZEET ZEET zeet.” No overlap with other flowerpiercers in its limited range in the Pantepui region of southern Venezuela and adjacent Brazil.

A medium-sized brown babbler with a streaked crown and an eye-catching white spot below the eye. Forages in forest undergrowth and dense scrub in edges and secondary growth, often with other species. Frequently visits feeders set up near blinds. Song is a surprisingly high, shaking whistle. Calls include dry chatter and buzzy, descending whistles.