Talaud Rail

Scarce and local small finch of highlands in Chiapas and Guatemala. Favors pine-oak forests, edges, and adjacent clearings, especially with alders. Usually in small groups, feeding in alders or other fruiting trees; at times low in weedy vegetation. Adult is greenish overall with a black cap and yellow wing edgings. Juvenile is streaky and resembles Pine Siskin, but note the dark cap and pointed pinkish bill.

Brilliant sky-blue warbler of the high canopy. Prefers mature deciduous forest, either in riparian areas or dry mountain ridge-tops. Tends to stay high in the canopy; thus, can be difficult to see blue color. From below, look for white throat and belly, thin necklace, and dark streaks on sides. Female is a unique muted turquoise with pale eyebrow and blurry streaks on sides. Immature birds show yellow wash on underparts. All plumages have bold white wingbars. Easiest to detect in spring and summer by its loud buzzy song, similar to Black-throated Blue but usually richer and more distinctly three-parted; much lower-pitched than Blackburnian Warbler. Winters primarily on the east slope of the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia.

An elegant, boldly patterned large shorebird of high Andean salt lakes, bogs, and lagoon shores. White head and body contrasting with glossy black upperparts are distinctive even at long range; at closer range note bluish legs and long fine bill with upswept tip. Often in pairs or small groups; feeds while wading in shallows, sweeping its bill through the water. Sexes look similar but female’s bill is more strongly upcurved. Gives noisy calls when agitated, especially near nest.