Biak Hooded Pitta

Small, rather chunky but long-tailed bird of tropical forest and woodland in lowlands and foothills; endemic to western Mexico. Feeds at all levels, often at fruiting trees and bushes with other vireos and fruit-eating birds. Like most vireos, generally rather sluggish. Bright yellow-and-greenish plumage, plus cocked tail, strongly suggest smaller and more lightly built Wilson’s Warbler, but note the vireo’s broad pale eyebrow, stouter bill, and stronger blue-gray legs.

Distinctive gamebird of farmland, grassy fields, and open heathland. Seen mainly as pairs and small groups, often along the edges of fields. Plumage is ornate and handsome, with a red bill, white throat, black streaked necklace, boldly barred flanks, and buffy belly. Other similar species (such as Chukar) do not overlap in native range, but can escape from collections or be introduced for hunting; all lack the diagnostic black-streaked necklace of Red-legged. Song is a dry, rasping “wa-cha-cha-wa-cha-cha” or “wi’ch-ch’ch.”

A tiny woodpecker of forest and forest edge, more likely to be mistaken for a crombec than for another species of woodpecker. A squat bird with a round body, a large head, a short, stout bill, and a very short tail. Body is gray overall with greenish wings, white markings around the ears, and orange around the eyes. Males have an orange forehead. Voice is a weak trilling “si-si-si-si-si.”