Black-bibbed Tit

Small, relatively active vireo of scrubby woodlands and brushy thickets in highlands; mainly in areas of oak woodland. Endemic to southwestern Mexico. Tends to forage low and alone, usually not with mixed-species flocks. Overall plumage and even its short, dry chatter remarkably similar to Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a winter migrant in the range of Dwarf Vireo. Note the vireo’s whitish spectacles, amber eyes, two distinct whitish wingbars, stouter bill, and stouter gray legs relative to a kinglet. Cap is paler and less contrasting than cap of similar female Black-capped Vireo. Also compare with similar Hutton’s Vireo.

A large weaver with bold and distinctive patterning. Note the mostly rufous head, the white throat and eyebrow, and the black moustache. The two white wingbars are especially obvious in flight. Found locally in a variety of woodland and savanna habitats, often in small flocks, though typically inconspicuous. Somewhat similar to White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, but easily separated by the rufous on the head and back and the more complex facial pattern. The call is a long trill, and the song is a high-pitched rapid-fire jumble of musical notes that can be quite long.

Tiny gray insectivore of scrubby areas in the southwest U.S. and northern Mexico. Breeding males show a black cap with a thin white eyering; nonbreeding males have a thin black line over the eye. Females lack any black on the head. Note tail pattern from below: mostly black with bold white spots. Prefers dry, scrubby habitats such as desert washes, where pairs flit around in the low bushes. Listen for harsh scolding calls. Compare with Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, but note Black-tailed often looks drabber brownish-gray, and has much more black on the underside of the tail.