Forest Swallow

Handsomely patterned sparrow from highlands of Chiapas south to temperate South America. Occurs in open and semiopen habitats such as villages, towns, and farmland with hedges and brushy thickets. Feeds on the ground and in bushes, at times in flocks. Note the peaked crown, bold black-and-gray head pattern (though black much reduced in southern populations), bright rusty collar, and black chest patch. Juvenile has ghosting of adult pattern and breast is streaked dusky.

Small and rotund with obvious teardrop-shaped plumes protruding from forehead. Looks gray and brown at a distance, with white streaks on the sides and a scaly belly. Males have black face and longer, more curled crest than females. Usually seen in flocks running on the ground in open, scrubby habitats. Listen for frequent, three-noted call, audible at long distances. Separated from similar Gambel’s Quail by range; also note California has scaly belly with rusty (not black) patch and duller brown crown and sides. Native to western North America including Baja California; well-established introduced populations in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

Fairly large vireo with a big bill and a pale eyebrow. Essentially the southern counterpart of Red-eyed Vireo. Breeds in tropical woodland and forest of Mexico and Central America, migrating south in September to South America (especially the western Amazon basin) and returning north again in March. Told from Red-eyed Vireo by its less contrasting head pattern, yellow sides and flanks, and brighter greenish upperparts. Monotonous song sounds like a House Sparrow that’s taken singing lessons.