3 unidentified birds Mexico (1 Viewer)

[Spotted_Bigbird]

Hi all,

During my recent trip to Mexico, I photographed three birds that I could not Identify.
Can anyone help ?
Here are the details :

1. Raptor in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, MX, 06 march 2020.
2. Hummingbird in Cholula, MX, 12 march 2020
3. Sparrow ? in Cholula MX, 12 march 2020.

Thanks !

 

[njlarsen]

Roadside hawk for the raptor I think

Niels

 

[janvanderbrugge]

Nr.3 looks like Brown (Californian) Towhee, Pipilo fuscus (one of the subspecies).
Jan van der Brugge

 

[Andy Adcock]

Without looking at a book, 3 looks like Buff-throated Saltator.

 

[Microtus]

Nr.3 looks like Brown (Californian) Towhee, Pipilo fuscus (one of the subspecies).
Jan van der Brugge

It would have to be Canyon Towhee if it's a towhee. California Towhee is only found in Oregon & California USA and Baja California Mexico.

 

[njlarsen]

My immediate impression was a towhee, and I can make Canyon Towhee as shown in Howell and Webb fit.

Remember that in Mexico, Buff-thr Saltator has a broad black horseshoe surrounding the throat area also beneath.

Niels

 

[njlarsen]

Regarding the Hummer I am not sure. To narrow it down, here is the bar chart of birds in Puebla: https://ebird.org/barchart?r=MX-PUE&yr=all&m=
Well, doesn't narrow it much, this is the list of hummers
Mexican Hermit
Stripe-throated Hermit
Mexican Violetear
Green-breasted Mango
Black-crested Coquette
Rivoli's Hummingbird
Plain-capped Starthroat
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Garnet-throated Hummingbird
Lucifer Hummingbird
Beautiful Hummingbird
Lucifer/Beautiful Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird
Bumblebee Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus sp.
Golden-crowned Emerald
Canivet's Emerald
Dusky Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Violet Sabrewing
White-bellied Emerald
Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Berylline Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Amazilia sp.
White-eared Hummingbird
hummingbird sp.

Niels

 

[THE_FERN]

Without looking at a book, 3 looks like Buff-throated Saltator.

Not a saltator in my view. That has a greenish back, black collar and white eyebrow. Also, the way it's perching would be unusual, I think [normally sit at a c 45 deg. angle]

 

[Spotted_Bigbird]

Niels,
thanks for the replies; I am currently thinking of either female Broad-Billed Hummingbird or Dusky Hummingbird.
The white tips on the tail have me puzzled. Any thoughts ?

 

[njlarsen]

Dusky is common around Cholula: https://ebird.org/map/dushum1?neg=t...mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2020
But so is Broad-Billed Hummingbird: https://ebird.org/map/brbhum?neg=tr...mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2020

Howell and Webb shows females of both of them as having white tips on tail feathers.

Niels

 

[pbjosh]

Roadside Hawk
Broad-billed or Dusky Hummingbird
Canyon Towhee

on the Hummingbird hard to be certain with that photo. It has been years since I have seen Dusky, and I don't have my Mexican field guide handy here.

 

[njlarsen]

Is there a photo of the upperside of the hummer?
Compare https://ebird.org/species/dushum1 https://ebird.org/species/brbhum/

Niels

 

[Spotted_Bigbird]

Is there a photo of the upperside of the hummer?
Compare https://ebird.org/species/dushum1 https://ebird.org/species/brbhum/

Niels

Hey Niels,

I'm afraid I did not get a good look of its upperside as the bird was above me. I attached another photo that I made a bit lighter. Not much colour though.

Thanks for the help!

 

[njlarsen]

I am not sure this photo can be safely identified. The book says that some individuals cannot be safely identified even in the hand!

Niels