Yellow-breasted Bowerbird

A distinctive honeyeater, mostly dark rich brown above and white below with brownish streaks. Face entirely mottled gray and white. Bill long and decurved. Primarily found in highland montane forest, but often down to sea level. Most common vocalization is a loud, far-carrying “tyauu.”

A small dark blue-black swallow with rufous-chestnut on its face and a short tail. Except for a black triangular eye-stripe extending to the bill, the entire forehead, chin, throat, and upper breast are rufous-chestnut, without any dark necklace like that of Barn Swallow, the main confusion species. Hill Swallow’s dark upperparts have a blue-green sheen that is only visible when seen up close, while the underparts are dingy white with ashy-gray on the flanks. Juveniles have duller chestnut on the face. Mainly inhabits open areas such as grasslands, reservoirs, and tea estates in the high hills above 500 meters of elevation; very rare at lower elevations. Often seen wheeling and looping in the air after insects, with a swift flight action reminiscent of a Barn Swallow with a shorter tail.

Breeds exclusively in mixed juniper-oak woodland in central Texas. Seldom seen in migration. Male has jet-black crown, throat, and back; bright yellow face with a black line through the eye. Two white wingbars; white underparts with black streaks down the sides. Female and immatures duller with pale throat, olive-green back and crown; similar to Black-throated Green Warbler, but note more distinct dark line through eye and lack of yellow vent. Winters in mountainous pine-oak forest in Mexico and Central America. Variable song includes several trills and buzzes at different pitches.