Southern Martin

Handsome thrush of tropical woodlands, gardens, and forests in lowlands and lower foothills of West Mexico with isolated populations in Mexico City and Oaxaca City. Feeds on ground, in fruiting trees and bushes and at times in small flocks, often with Great Kiskadees and Social Flycatchers. Like most thrushes, can be rather wary. Note rusty back and breast, blue-gray head, and yellow bill. Some birds in coastal Nayarit ("Grayson’s Thrush") notably paler and duller overall; mainly seen around San Blas, where greatly outnumbered by typical bright birds.

Stocky flycatcher that almost always perches conspicuously on a high bare perch with an upright posture. From the front, look for dark sides creating a vest, with a bright white stripe from throat to belly. White patches on the sides of rump are sometimes visible from behind. Most similar to pewees but larger and larger-billed, with more contrasting vest. Feeds on insects. Breeds in clearings and bogs in boreal or mountainous forests, but can be found in migration in open habitats with a mixture of woods and clearings. Distinctive whistled song is often likened to "quick, three beers;" also listen for "pip" call notes.

A thrush-sized gray songbird. Male is dark slaty-gray on the back and blackish below. Gray-backed female shows extensively barred pale underparts. Singles and pairs inhabit the canopy of forest and wooded patches in the lowlands and foothills. Confined to Sangihe and Talaud Islands. The voice is poorly known.