Gray Monjita

The only crested tit in most of its range. Black front with yellow cheek and yellow eyebrow. Yellowish-green upperparts, white-spotted wings, and yellow-and-black underparts. Females and juveniles are duller, with shorter crests, central stripe thinner and incomplete, and yellowish parts becoming dull white. A bird of the hills, it is most abundant between 500 meters and 1800 meters of elevation, but rarely descends to lower elevations. Seen in pairs or family groups, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks in the non-breeding season. Forages in the canopy, emitting loud whistles and harsh chatters.

Stocky, medium-sized shorebird with relatively short bill and legs. Combination of shape, overall color, and bill size usually distinctive. Beautiful breeding plumage shows entirely salmon-orange underparts and silvery wings with intricate patterning. Nonbreeding is plain gray with pale underparts and a white eyebrow; juvenile similar but with scaly pattern on wings. Usually shows dark barring on flanks. Legs are dull greenish or gray. Widespread and fairly common, breeding on high Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines around the globe, as far south as Tierra del Fuego. Most numerous on beaches and mudflats; less common inland. Occurs in flocks, often mixed with other shorebirds. Compare with larger, lankier, longer-billed Great Knot in Asia and Australia. Feeds on a variety of small invertebrates; West Atlantic population reliant on horseshoe crab eggs during spring migration.

A tiny, stubby, plump dark songbird with a bold red throat in males. Female is nondescript, all gray with a clean white throat. Juveniles resemble female but have a pale-based bill and a green-washed breast. Singles and pairs can be found in lowlands and foothills in a variety of habitats, including forest, forest edge, scrub, and gardens. Male can be separated from male Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker by red throat and lack of red crown. Female Gray-sided differs from female Crimson-crowned in absence of red rump. Song is a thin, high-pitched “see-se-sooo.” Also gives a buzzy “tzjit” note.