Golden-mantled Racquet-tail

Common in tropical lowlands of west Mexico, where it is endemic. Found in woodlands, coconut plantations, gardens, and semi-open areas with taller trees, including towns and villages. Often noisy and conspicuous; calls include a sneezy "cháco cháco." Golden wash to cheeks is inconspicuous, but big black eye patch is diagnostic among similar "ladder-backed" woodpeckers. Male has flame-red crown patch and female has pale grayish crown.

An unusual gray-and-white starling of dry country. Note the gray hood, pale eye, whitish crown, and gray rump. The large white patches on the underwing are distinctive in flight. Found in dry savanna, in cultivated areas, and around human habitation, usually in flocks. Most similar to Wattled Starling, but has a gray rather than white rump, a pale eye, and a distinct gray hood. The most common call is a rising, slurred whistle, sometimes given in a long series.

A sleek forest bird that sometimes ventures into gardens and parks in search of flowers and fruit; prefers areas with palms. The adult is distinctive—clothed in black except for patches of yellow on lower belly, shoulders, and rump. No similar species occur within its range. Immatures are muddled yellow, orange, and olive, developing adult plumage over the course of a year. This plumage resembles that of female and young Baltimore Orioles, a scarce migrant and winter visitor to Hispaniola. Similarly attired Baltimore Orioles can be distinguished by their orange underparts and white wingbars. The song is a rapid jumble of squeaky and metallic notes. Calls include a buzzy “jrrrt” and a metallic “zhwee.”