Pitta-ish, stubby bird with big black eye. Quintana Roo, Mexico (1 Viewer)

sharifaone

Well-known member

• Jan 28, 2017

• #1

I confess, I have NO idea what this bird is. I've looked through van Perlo at least 6 times, trying to pigeon-hole it ('scuse the pun!), but I am clearly missing something. All I can say is that it vaguely reminds me of a pitta in shape (not exactly, but that's the closest thing I can think of). I'm more certain with my "stubby jungle bird with a big black eye" category. Help!

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jan 28, 2017

• #2

Rose-throated Becard



A

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 28, 2017

• #3

A female I believe?

Cheers

 

sharifaone

Well-known member

• Jan 28, 2017

• #4

Oh, and literally, not half an hour ago I had written a note to myself about how very different the female Rose-throated Becard is from the male! Why I didn't recognize this one as the same is beyond me... except that perhaps its scrunched up posture made it seem short and stout.

Well, birding is definitely a way to keep me humble. |>|

Thank you, andyadcock and KenM, for both your responses AND your patience with novice birders like me who truly bark up the wrong tree sometimes when identifying species. :t:

 

pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Jan 29, 2017

• #5

Trying to ID birds out of Van Perlo can be pretty frustrating, it is certainly the worst of the guides for the region. Howell & Webb is still the authoritative volume for Mexico and is recently joined by Jesse Fagan and Oliver Komar's excellent Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America. Would really recommend one or both of these books!

Cheers,
Josh

 

sharifaone

Well-known member

• Jan 31, 2017

• #6

pbjosh said:

Trying to ID birds out of Van Perlo can be pretty frustrating, it is certainly the worst of the guides for the region. Howell & Webb is still the authoritative volume for Mexico and is recently joined by Jesse Fagan and Oliver Komar's excellent Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America. Would really recommend one or both of these books!

Cheers,
Josh

Click to expand...

I know that H and W is the best... but it was 50 bucks on Amazon. And for a short family holiday, I decided to put up with Van Perlo. If I lived in the region, I'd invest in the better book. Haven't yet checked out the second book... thanks for the recommendation!