White-throated Mountain-Babbler

Very elusive, chickenlike bird of humid evergreen forest in foothills and highlands; scarce and very local in eastern Mexico where it is endemic. Usually in pairs or small groups on the forest floor. May be seen beside quiet trails and roads early and late in the day; runs away quickly and rarely flies. Note the blue-gray face and throat, red bill and eyering, and rusty breast. Loud rollicking songs are given mainly early and late in the day and most often reveal its presence.

Small, pale brown, heavily-streaked cisticola. Plumage is darker in breeding plumage, washed-out in non-breeding plumage. Found in dry, open grasslands, including open stretches within savanna. Song is a mix of high-pitched peeps, scratchy lower notes, and “tic” notes. Extremely similar to Zitting Cisticola. Best distinguished by song, though subtle plumage differences include Desert’s more uniformly blackish tail and slightly streaked rufous rump.

Pretty waxbill that is gray, black, and white, with red highlights. The bright red rump is conspicuous in flight. Found in grassy areas within a variety of habitats, including forest edge, woodland, moist savanna, cultivation, and gardens. Usually in pairs or flocks. The calls include high-pitched “tsik” and “tseet” notes which are often given in chorus by a flock, especially in flight. Similar to Black-headed and Kandt’s Waxbills, but paler and grayer overall, with a white rather than black undertail.