Japanese Bush Warbler

Aptly named small songbird of lowlands, brownish-olive above, with pale, olive-washed underparts. Pale, unmarked face and large dark eye gives it a “cute” appearance. Lack of distinctive marks is itself distinctive; other flowerpeckers in range are streaked or have patches of bright color. Usually seen hovering around or probing into flowers; especially fond of mistletoe fruits and blossoms. Song is as plain as its appearance; a mid-length, descending series of high-pitched ticks. Also gives lower-pitched, more evenly-spaced ticks.

Chunky, skulking warbler that favors dense undergrowth. Yellow below and olive above with blue-gray head and chest. Blacker lores set off distinctive white arcs above and below eye. Adult males show darkest head; females and immatures have paler gray head and whitish throat. Found in thickets, clearcuts, open mixed forests, and riparian zones. Breeds primarily in mountainous regions of western North America; winters from Mexico to Costa Rica. Compare with Mourning Warbler, but little range overlap, and note longer tail and white eye-arcs on MacGillivray’s.

Large but rather plain flycatcher of semiopen and open scrubby habitats, matorral, lighter woodlands, and hedges in drier farmland of lowlands and foothills. Generally scarce and local. Perches prominently atop cacti, bushes, and wires. Runs well on the ground, chasing down small lizards and other prey. Distinguished by overall drab plumage with pale rusty vent, blackish tail, and stout bill. Most likely to be mistaken for Austral Thrush, which is similar in size and plumage tones, but has a bright yellow bill.