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Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis L 14–15cm, Wt 30–40g. A sign of winter across the US-Canada border region, Snow Bunting favors open farmland, sparse fields, beaches. Feeds by shuffling nervously on the ground, flashing bold white wing patches when flushed. Large flocks occur in open country, undulating low across the landscape, appearing tan and white; often with Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs. Breeds in cavities on rocky tundra, outpost towns. Confused with Horned Lark (in flight) and range-restricted McKay’s Bunting (which see). Stunning breeding plumage attained through wear. ♂ br overall whiter and blacker-backed than ♀ br. In nonbr plumage, ages and sexes similar when perched, but in flight note ♂’s extensively white wings, ♀’s reduced white wing patches. 1st-yr averages darker than ad of respective sex, but much variation; 1st-yr ♀ averages smallest white wing patches. Worn brown juv primaries noticeable in 1st-yrs, especially when with blacker-winged ads; differences most prominent in 1st-s imms. Sooty juv plumage held only briefly; rapidly attains tan/ rusty feather tips of nonbr plumage in Aug–Sep, prior to migration. Sounds: Song a variable series of jumbled whistles and burry notes often given in flight display; lower and slower than Lapland Longspur. Subsong, sometimes heard in late winter, a rambling series of squeaky and burry notes. Typical calls given by winter flocks on the ground and in flight include a longspur-like rattle (softer, more musical than Lapland); a soft, pure-toned, downslurred whistled teeeu; also a harsh Dickcissel-like brrrt. Status: Fairly common, but local and nomadic in winter. Migration mainly Mar–Apr, Oct–Dec. Rare vagrant along s. portions of W Coast. Also Eurasia.
Snow Bunting flock in winter
McKay’s Bunting Plectrophenax hyperboreus L 14–15cm, Wt 30–40g. Restricted to AK, this whiter counterpart to Snow is a hard bird to see without targeted effort. Considered a ssp of Snow Bunting by some authorities; extreme individual variation in both taxa makes ID of some intermediate individuals and presumed hybrids impossible. Whiter than Snow in all corresponding ages/ plumages. Ad ♂ usually straightforward: note white back, occasionally with fine dark streaks, smaller black wingtips, less black in alula and tail than Snow. Ad ♀ can be more confusing, and differentiation of ad ♀ McKay’s and 1st-yr ♂ Snow particularly tricky, requiring details of spread wings to determine ID. Note subtle differences in black pattern in primary coverts: more extensive dark at bases on ♀ McKay’s vs. just black at tips in ♂ Snow. Also note more solid black wingtip of ♂ Snow vs. pale veins of white extending into the dark wingtip in ♀ McKay’s. Dark extreme ♀ McKay’s similar to palest examples of ♀ Snow; note wing-pattern differences, whiter rump, tail in McKay’s. Juv McKay’s averages buffier above and whiter below than Snow. Sounds: Song and calls indistinguishable from Snow. Status: Common but extremely local, breeding only on St. Matthew and Hall Islands, AK, in the Bering Sea. Migration mainly Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Winters coastal w. AK. Regular transient on Pribilofs and St. Lawrence Island, AK. Very rare vagrant on W Coast s. to Pacific NW. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla L 13.5–16.0cm, Wt 17–30g. Striking Eurasian finch; regular in w. AK. A member of the small subfamily Fringillinae (of the Fringillidae, p. XXX), it lacks a crop, feeds its young insects, and eats seeds year-round. In native range, found in open woods, brush and fields, hedgerows, coastal marsh; in AK mainly on tundra; winter vagrants visit feeders. In all plumages, note orangy breast and shoulders, white rump. All nonbr plumages similar; ad ♂ averages brightest with most black; 1st-w ♀ averages palest, weakest flank spotting. Sounds: Calls include a soft nasal chut and a snarling upslurred zree (cf. House Finch). Status: Primarily Eurasian. Rare but regular migrant in Bering Sea region, AK, mainly late May, Sep–early Oct, but records nearly year-round. Rare vagrant to Lower 48 in winter. 286
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Bold white wing patches in all plumages
♂ nonbr
juv [Jul–Sep]
Snow Bunting
♀ washed
black back veiled white
dusky
[Sep–Apr]
blackish
♂ br [Apr–Aug]
ages similar
♀ dark
♀ br
[Apr–Aug]
with Horned Lark and Lapland Longspur
♀ nonbr [Sep–Apr]
black
1st-w has tapered tailfeather tips, brownish wingtips
1st-w often dark
1st-w ♀
Restricted to w. AK 1st-w ♀
all dark
black restricted to tips extensive black
ad often paler
extensive dark
♂s usually all white
♀ nonbr
reduced or no black
♂ nonbr
1st-w ♂
♀ nonbr
McKay’s Bunting
whiter than Snow less black than Snow
1st-w ♂ dark bases and tips
usually all white
dark reaches coverts
dark/light pattern
♂ nonbr
♂ nonbr [Sep–Apr]
juv [Jul–Sep]
♀ nonbr
head, back usually whiter than Snow
limited black
♀ br
[Sep–Apr]
♂ br [Apr–Aug]
[Apr–Aug]
Brambling
AK only; orange breast and shoulders, white rump
♂ nonbr
♀ nonbr
1st-w ♀ [Aug–May]
1st-w ♂
1st-w ♂
♂ br [Apr–Aug]
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KINGFISHERS: Alcedinidae. Diverse worldwide family of small to large birds that occupy wet and forested habitats; in N America, strongly linked to water. All share stocky build, large head, and long, heavy, pointed bill. Plunge-dive from perches or hover and dive to catch prey beneath the surface, mainly fish. Fly with distinctive rowing wingbeats that nervously double in speed every few seconds. Nest in burrows in mud banks. Solitary except when breeding; defend territories with simple vocalizations, mainly loud rattling flight calls. Belted is widespread; the others share primarily tropical distributions, barely reaching the US-Mexico border. Typically identified easily by plumage, range. Ages, sexes differ. 3 regular species, 1 vagrant.
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon L 28–33cm, Wt 113–178g. Big, boldly patterned, and always fun to watch; the only regularly occurring kingfisher across most of N America. Conspicuous and noisy when present; breeds in cavities near a variety of fresh and brackish habitats, including rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries; occurs in saltwater habitats mainly in migration, winter. Can occur far from water on migration. Note large head with shaggy crest, short tail and legs, bold plumage. Ad ♂ lacks ♀’s orange-rusty breast band. Juv has rust mixed into upper chest band/flanks May–Dec; some retain brownish mix through 1st spring. 1st-s has worn wings, retained juv wing coverts. Sounds: Typical far-carrying call a low, clattering rattle given repeatedly in flight and territorial defense. Also screechy whining near nest. Status: Common. N. populations migratory mainly Mar–May, mid-Aug–Oct. Hardy; overwinter anywhere open water persists. Winters to s. Cen America, Caribbean. Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata L 38–42cm, Wt 254–325g. Large, big-headed, and big-billed kingfisher of s. TX freshwater habitats, especially Rio Grande region. All plumages from Belted by extensive rufous underparts. Ad ♀ has blue and white bands across chest; ad ♂ has blue partial collar. Juvs similar to ad ♀; juv ♂ has little/no white breast band, reduced rufous on underwing coverts; like ad by 1st winter–spring. Sounds: Typical rattle call louder, slower, more machine-gun-like than Belted, often more protracted (1–20+ secs). Common flight call, a deep single rruk, draws attention to birds high overhead. Status: Uncommon but expanding n. in TX. Rare vagrant to s. Great Plains, w. Gulf Coast, mainly late fall–winter. Also to S America. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana L 18–20cm, Wt 29–55g. Small, inconspicuous kingfisher of quiet overgrown freshwater streams, ponds; restricted to s. TX, s. AZ. Perches low, often in cover. Unlikely to be confused with others if seen well but often flushes quickly, giving fleeting views, flashing white tail edges. Flies low, fast, and direct; does not hover. Unlike the other two kingfishers, ad ♂ is more colorful than ♀, with orange breast band. Ad ♀ has spotted green double breast band, often incomplete; throat and middle breast buffy, especially when fresh. Juv generally like ad ♀, but juv ♂ can show orange breast sides rather quickly; like ad by mid-fall. Sounds: Soft but sharp clicking calls, like 2 stones being tapped together, given by perched or flying birds; sometimes run together in short rattle. Also a hard, nasal downslurred buzz, dzrrt, and a grating chatter mainly in interactions. Status: Uncommon in TX; sporadic in se. AZ. Also to S America. TROGONS: Trogonidae. Diverse and colorful pantropical cavity-nesting birds. Ages, sexes differ; like adult in 2nd year. 1 species regular in AZ, 1 vagrant.
Coppery-tailed Trogon Trogon ambiguus L 28–30cm, Wt 60–79g. Spectacular summer resident of shady canyons of se. AZ “sky islands,” this species offers birders a taste of the tropics. Favors mature streamside trees, especially sycamores, where it perches quietly in the mid-story, slowly turning head in search of food. Sallies to pluck fruits, insects, small reptiles from foliage, often hovering briefly, the ♂ flashing its brilliant red and green colors. Juv dusky brown with spotted wing coverts; mostly like ad by late fall but retains juv tail through 1st year. Sounds: Both sexes sing a series of 5–10 guttural, 1- or 2-syllable notes, kwirkwir-kwir-kwir …, recalling Wild Turkey calls. Also a more growling variation, often delivered at faster pace, and a short, squirrel-like chuckle when alarmed. Status: Uncommon and local. Mostly migratory; a few birds winter in breeding canyons, surrounding lowlands. Migration mainly mid-Apr–May, late Aug–Sep. Rare vagrant to NM, TX, mainly winter. Also to Cen America. 156
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Belted Kingfisher
Only kingfisher across most of N America juv ♀ [May–Oct]
rowing wingbeats interspersed with erratic double-speed flaps
juv ♂ [May–Oct]
ad ♀
Belted and Ringed hover high above water, dive headfirst for fish
ad has plain wing coverts ad ♂
Ringed Kingfisher Scarce; mainly
Restricted to s. TX
juv ♀
se. AZ
ad ♀
complete blue, variable white bands
Coppery-tailed Trogon
juv [Jun–Sep] 1st-w ♂ [Nov–Apr]
juv ♂ has white greater coverts [May–Dec] partial blue band
underwings rufous (white on ad ♂)
ad ♂
ad ♀
ad ♀
Restricted to s. TX, se. AZ; small and inconspicuous wing coverts tipped white
bold white
juv ♂ [Apr–Oct]
washed orange on ♂
Green Kingfisher
ad ♂
variable spotted double breast bands ad ♀
ad ♂
Trogon not to scale
flies with deep undulations
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Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius L 15–17cm, Wt 20–22g. Slim, chestnutcolored oriole of the East. Favors brushy fields with young trees, hedgerows, suburban areas. Ad ♂ distinctive, but imm and ♀ easily confused with Hooded: note Orchard’s smaller size, shorter tail and bill, more contrasting wing pattern, yellow-green color (never tinged orange), voice. Imm/♀ also can be mistaken for a warbler due to small size and slim build. Sexes differ. 1st-fall sexes similar, ♀ averages dullest; ♂ attains black throat/lores by Nov–Dec. Sounds: Song a rapid disjointed warble; higher, harsher, faster than Baltimore Oriole; quality reminiscent of Indigo Bunting but more jumbled. Calls include a husky chuk (cf. Red-winged Blackbird), often doubled and sometimes combined with descending hew whistle; also a husky chatter when agitated; chuk call sharper and louder than similar calls of Hooded. Flight call a slightly descending nasal yeeer. Status: Common. Migration mainly Apr–May, Jul–Aug (East), Aug–Sep (Midwest). Rare in winter in the SE and the SW. Winters Mexico to n. S America. Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus L 18.5–20.0cm, Wt 23–24g. Locally common oriole that favors ornamental palms, suburban yards, and, less frequently, surrounding native woodland. Nests mainly in palms; if you find palms within its range, you’ll likely find this bird. ♂ distinctive, but cf. Streak-backed Oriole in nonbr plumage; imm/♀ easily confused with Orchard (which see). Imm and ♀ from imm/♀ Scott’s by smaller, slimmer build, longer tail, more curved bill, narrower median-covert bar. Sexes differ. 1st-fall sexes similar, ♀ averages dullest; ♂ attains variable black throat Nov–Dec. Ad ♂s of w. ssp (nelsoni Group) and those of extreme e. TX average yellower overall; e. breeders (cucullatus/sennetti) more orange. Sounds: Song a rapid, disjointed jumble of harsh and whistled notes; often dominated by mimicry. Chatter call hard and rattling, often in short sets; cf. wrens, Wrentit. Commonly gives a rising whistled weet or wink (cf. Bobolink), while both perched and in flight; less often, a blackbird-like chuk. Status: Common. Migration mainly Mar–Apr, Jul–Sep. Scarce in winter in the SW, TX; exceptional to the East. Migrant populations winter mainly Mexico. Scott’s Oriole Icterus parisorum L 19–22cm, Wt 31–35g. Striking, chunky oriole of the arid SW, favoring dry rocky hillsides lined with yucca and agave, bordering juniper or oak woodland. Note black and yellow plumage, finetipped long bill, shortish tail, bold white wing bars. Ads distinctive across most of range (cf. Audubon’s Oriole in s. TX). Juv/imm drabber than other orioles, with brightest color on belly. Juv sexes similar, but ♂ attains increasing amount of black on head/breast from Sep through 1st spring. Some 1st-fall ♂s similar to ad ♀ but usually show more extensive black face, and note relatively worn wings on all 1st-w birds. Sounds: Song a relatively low, rich bubbly jumble recalling Western Meadowlark. Calls include a husky chuk, a short whistled quip?, and a short cat-like reaar. Status: Uncommon to fairly common. Migration mainly Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep. Scarce in winter in CA, TX, AZ; exceptional in the East, mainly winter. Also breeds and winters Mexico.
Orchard Oriole 1st-fall [Aug–Nov]
Hooded Oriole 1st-fall [Aug–Nov]
Scott’s Oriole 1st-fall ♀ [Aug–Nov]
292
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Small, slim, and short-tailed, short-billed
neat wing bars ad ♀
pale bill
juv [Jun–Aug]
Orchard Oriole
1st-yr ♂ [Nov–Sep]
♂ nonbr [Aug–Feb]
♂ br [Feb–Aug] variable chestnut patches by late winter
1st-fall [Aug–Nov]
Hooded Oriole
Larger than Orchard, with longer tail, longer and more curved bill pale bill; cf. Orchard in early fall
ad ♀
♂ Western and e. TX br [Mar–Jul]
juv [Jun–Sep]
♂ Western nonbr [Aug–Feb]
1st-yr ♂ [Nov–Sep]
more graduated tail than Orchard
♂ Eastern br [Mar–Jul]
1st-fall [Aug–Nov]
Scott’s Oriole
Fairly large, with pointy straight bill, bold white wing bars juv [Jun–Aug]
1st-yr ♀ [Dec–Aug]
pale bill
usually lacks black
♂ nonbr [Aug–Feb]
patterned back, worn wings
ad ♀
variable black
1st-yr ♂ [Dec–Aug]
♂ br [Feb–Aug] 1st-fall ♂ [Sep–Dec]
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PRAIRIE GROUSE and SAGE-GROUSE. Uncommon and declining birds of extensive open areas. Generally difficult to detect except in breeding season, when they gather on leks to display.
Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus L 40–48cm, Wt 600–1030g. Favors transitional habitats between prairie and woodland, less often farmland. Often perches in trees and feeds on buds, particularly when snow covers ground. Differs from prairie-chickens by scalloped underparts, white belly, and paleedged pointed tail (most noticeable in flight). Complex regional variation: palest in w. prairies, darker in n. Sounds: ♂ gives variety of cackles, gobbles, coos, and popping sounds on lek. When flushed, both sexes give a kuh kuh kuh kuh, much softer than a pheasant (not guttural). Also, various clucking notes. Status: Fairly common, but s. populations in decline. Greater Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus cupido L 41–47cm, Wt 700–1200g. Large grouse, generally confined to native grassland and surrounding agricultural areas. Cf. Lesser Prairie-Chicken, Sharp-tailed Grouse. Hybridizes with Sharp-tailed; infrequently with Lesser in narrow zone of overlap in w.-cen. KS. Attwater’s ssp (attwateri) of se. TX critically endangered; upperparts average tawnier, and lower legs lack feathering. Sounds: At breeding lek, ♂’s booming is a low far-carrying hoot that sounds like air being blown over the top of a bottle. Also chicken-like clucks. Status: Once abundant, now largely uncommon and heavily managed. Heath Hen ssp (cupido) of coastal MA to VA extinct. Lesser Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus L 38–41cm, Wt 620–900g. Scarce grouse found locally on sand sage and shortgrass prairie of s. Great Plains. Very similar to Greater; best separated by range. Note Lesser’s dull red air sacs; paler, more finely barred underparts; and voice. ♂ has longer pinnae than ♀, dark central tail feathers (barred in ♀). Sounds: ♂’s booming is highpitched and yodeling; quite different from low, mellow, and drawn-out boom of Greater. Other courtship calls wild and frenzied, even more intense than Greater. Status: Uncommon; declining. Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus L 56–72cm, Wt 1.5–2.9kg. Very large, long-tailed, black-bellied grouse; favors large expanses of sage and nearby grassland. Sounds: ♂ rapidly inflates and deflates air sacs, producing 2 low plopping sounds; these are accompanied by wing swishes and tail rattles as he moves. When flushed, both sexes give rapid clucking kek-kek-kek. Status: Uncommon and declining, precipitously in many places. Small-scale movements tied to food availability.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse Centrocercus minimus L 32–51cm, Wt 1.1–2.1kg. Smaller s. counterpart of Greater; no range overlap. Gunnison has conspicuous pale tail bands, which give tail blond appearance at a distance. Sounds: Similar to Greater. During each display, Gunnison typically produces 9 plopping sounds with air sacs, while filoplumes (longer thick feathers on back of head) are thrown over top of head and flop back down. Greater makes only 2 plopping sounds, and short head feathers remain in place. Status: Endangered. Restricted to Gunnison Basin and nearby areas of CO and se. UT.
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Sharp-tailed Grouse
Great Plains cf. ♀ Ring-necked Pheasant
pointd with white edges
ad ♂ (sexes similar)
northern
scalloped breast
pale belly
♂ has purple air sacs
Sharp-tailed Grouse × Greater Prairie-Chicken hybrid
Both prairie-chickens barred below
Greater Prairie-Chicken
♂ Attwater’s
ad ♀ ad ♂
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
short, rounded tail in both prairie-chickens
♀
ad ♀
♂
tail patterns similar in Greater
paler and grayer than Greater
deep red air sacs
long tail
ad ♂
Greater Sage-Grouse
ad ♀
ad ♀ black belly
ad ♂
displaying ♂
Restricted to w. CO and se. UT longer filoplumes than Greater
Gunnison Sage-Grouse
ad ♀
ad ♂
displaying ♂
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Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica L 12.5–14.5cm (+ 2.5–3.5cm tail streamers), Wt 17.0–20.7g. This elegant species is a familiar sight in open country near water, favoring farmland, marshes, lakeshores, towns. Nests in small colonies or single pairs, almost exclusively on man-made structures; places cup-shaped mud nests in barns, under bridges, building eaves. Note distinctive forked tail, longest in ad ♂, shortest in juv; buff underparts, darkest in ad ♂, palest in juv. Direct flight is level and fast, with clipped wingbeats, swept-back wings, short glides; often hunts low over ground or water, flashing white tail spots when it turns and flares tail. Small population breeding in Argentina in austral summer may appear in N America and be recognizable May–Aug by very worn plumage, primary molt. Birds from n. Eurasia (rustica), rare in AK, have whiter underparts, broader breast band, longer tail streamers than American (erythrogaster). Rarely hybridizes with Cliff; hybrids variable but usually have buffy rump, shallow tail fork, white tail spots. Sounds: Calls include a husky vit and vi-dit. Song a rapid, squeaky chatter dominated by vit notes. Status: Common. Migration mainly Apr–May, Aug–Sep; averages earlier in the East. Winters to S America, rarely s. US (increasingly in s. CA). Also Old World. Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota L 12.5–14.0cm, Wt 19.6–23.6g. Gregarious species; nests in large colonies in open country near water, grasslands. Clay-pot nests packed tightly together under cliff overhangs, highway overpasses, culverts, building eaves; adaptation to nesting on man-made structures has enabled e. expansion. Note contrasting buffy rump patch, squarish tail, mostly dark head set off by pale grayish collar; cf. Cave’s dark cap set off by orange-buff throat and cheeks. Flight rather floating with much gliding, some soaring. Mexican (melanogaster; SW, sparingly to Gulf Coast) has dark rusty forehead; intergrades with Northern (pyrrhonota Group) frequently. Juv much drabber than ad, with brownish upperparts, paler rump (nearly whitish when worn), dusky head with highly variable white mottling on throat/face, often rufous forehead. Some juvs solid rufous on throat, suggesting Cave, but throat darker than rump (vs. same tone or lighter on Cave), lores not as dark. Sounds: Calls include a nasal new and harsh jrrr (cf. some Northern Rough-winged Swallow variations). Song a soft, protracted jumble of scratchy squeaks and “stretching rubber” sounds. Status: Common in the West; more local e. of the Appalachians. Migration timing varies regionally; mainly Apr–May, Aug– Sep, but earlier (Feb–Apr, Jul–Aug) in the SW, CA; lingers well into Oct along the Gulf Coast. Winters mainly S America. Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva L 12.5–14.5cm, Wt 14.7–24.2g. Close relative of Cliff, enjoying similar success adapting to man-made structures. Nests and roosts in limestone caves, sinkholes, as well as highway overpasses, culverts, buildings. Nest similar to Cliff’s but usually more bowl-shaped. From Cliff by clean orange-buff throat and cheeks contrasting with neat dark cap; molts flight feathers during late summer (ads) and fall (imms), while Cliff does so on wintering grounds. Juv much drabber than ad, with brownish upperparts, weaker head pattern, variable dusky cheek and breast band; note contrasting dark lores, throat as pale or paler than rump. Caribbean ssp (fulva Group) averages smaller and darker overall than Mexican (pallida), with deeper rust rump, darker and warmertoned breast and flanks (flank streaks often obvious), contrasting rust rear cheeks (vs. more even-toned buffy in Mexican); some overlap. Sounds: Calls include a nasal new (similar to Cliff) and rising whistled weet (cf. huskier Barn). Song similar to Cliff but incorporates distinctive “clicking-typewriter” series. Status: Caribbean ssp local in s. FL mainly mid-Feb–Sep, rarely straying to the NE Apr–May. Mexican ssp common; migration mainly Feb–May, Sep–Nov. Mexican wanders widely: regular to the Great Lakes and the NE, sometimes in the 100s, late Oct–early Dec (sometimes into Jan), rarely Mar–May; regular to FL Oct–May, possibly later; rare to CA, s. Great Plains; exceptional to the NW. Also Mexico, Caribbean.
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Barn Swallow
Long forked tail, variable buffy underparts juv [May–Nov]
ad ♀ ad ♂
ad ♂
paler underparts, shorter tail than ♂
white spots
juv
Cliff Swallow
Buffy rump, square tail, mostly dark head juv Northern buffy juv rufous
paler birds can recall Cave paler juv
rufous juv
variable white mottling
buff to whitish
ad Northern ad Mexican
ad Northern
juv [May–Nov]
Cave Swallow
Buffy rump and throat, square tail, neat dark cap 1st-fall Mexican ad Mexican
juv Mexican
molts primaries during fall migration juv [May–Nov] darker juv
ad Caribbean ad Caribbean
ad Mexican
drabber than ad; smudgy cheek patch
averages darker, more richly colored than Mexican