Melodious Warbler

Not closely related to Northern Mockingbird. Skulking and heard far more often than seen, this fairly large and ample-tailed songbird might be better named "denim catbird" for its overall dull blue plumage, mewing calls, and retiring behavior. Favors thickets, dense scrubby woodlands, and forest understory in foothills and highlands; locally to western lowlands in winter. Tosses leaves on the ground and also feeds at all levels in dense fruiting bushes and trees. Most often seen in short flights across roads or trails from cover to cover. Voice notably varied.

Heavy-billed small toucan of humid tropical forest. Forages in the canopy of mature rainforest, often in small groups, and sometimes with other species of aracaris. More diffuse facial pattern than other aracaris, with grayish crown covered with soft curls. Belly has a single red band. Not as vocal as other aracaris, but may be heard giving soft grunts and occasionally loud yelps, sounding rather raptor-like.

Breeding plumage grayish above with white eyebrow; breast pale pinkish, mostly unstreaked. Nonbreeding plumage grayish brown above, whitish below with dark streaks; averages smudgier and less well-marked than American Pipit. Sides of tail clean white; compare with dingy white of Rock Pipit in areas of overlap. Song is a long series of repeated high-pitched notes; essentially a slow trill. Call a high, lisping, slightly upslurred "ssiip.” Breeds in mountains on barren, often rocky ground; winters in varied wetland habitats, from lakeshores to salt marshes.