Rufous-crested Tanager

The "flying cigar" with a blunt head, squared-off tail, and long, sickle-shaped wings. Body is dark gray with a slightly paler throat. Flies all day long with ridiculously fast, snappy wingbeats. Nests and roosts in chimneys. Often seen in small groups, twittering and cruising around town in search of insects. The only swift in the eastern U.S.

Large bright yellowthroat, restricted to marshes in southern half of Baja California peninsula. Favors reed beds and adjacent marshy vegetation around lakes and ponds. Common Yellowthroat is a common migrant throughout range of Belding’s and is usually more numerous. Belding’s is slightly larger and brighter than Common. Male has yellowish border to black mask and extensively yellow underparts. Female is brighter and more extensively yellow on face and underparts than Common, but can be difficult to distinguish. Voice subtly distinctive.

Elusive inhabitant of humid tropical lowlands and foothills. Walks like a small chicken (not like a thrush) on the shady forest floor, holding its tail cocked and tossing leaves with its bill. Loud song of accelerating hooting whistles is often heard, but birds can be very difficult to see. Dark overall with pale bluish eyering and black face bordered by dark rusty band.