Black-faced Tanager

Males have the typical batis pattern of black, white, and gray. Females have a more unusual pattern, with rufous in the wing and either a rufous or gray wash across the breast. Both sexes have a narrow pale eyebrow and orange or reddish eyes. Found in forest at low and middle elevations, often in pairs. Very similar to Dark Batis, but there is no known overlap in range. Males are similar to Chinspot and Pale Batises, but are distinguished by the darker eye and shorter tail. Females are distinctive. The song is variable, but is usually a long series of identical low-pitched tooting notes. 

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.

A small barbet of forest and forest edge that appears large when compared to other tinkerbirds. The black upperparts contrast with the yellow wing feather edging, yellowish underparts, and yellowish moustache. When seen at the right angle, shows a bright red rump. While it is often found high in the trees, it sometimes descends lower, even singing near ground level in thick vegetation. This species can be confused with Yellow-throated and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds, but note Red-rumped Tinkerbird’s song, its more uniformly yellowish underparts, and, when visible, its bright red rump. Song is a long, continuous series of “po, po, po” notes given at a rate of about two per second. Also gives other shorter, faster trills reminiscent of other tinkerbirds.