This tiny parrot is native to the deserts of south-western Africa where it frequents dry woodlands, riparian areas, cultivated fields and vegetation along standing water. It has adaptations for enduring cold winters and hot summers. It feeds mainly on grass seeds and nests in rock crevices and other shallow cavities. This species has the peculiar habit of transporting nesting material tucked into the rump feathers. A common cage bird, it apparently was released accidentally in central Arizona in the mid-1990s.
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Usually solitary or in small groups associated with Bank Swallows, the Northern Rough-winged Swallow makes its nest at the end of a burrow up to 6 ft deep in a vertical bank or occasionally under bridges and wharves but always over water. They feed on flying insects over open fields, savannas and water, but they will catch insects and the ground as well.
Restricted to rivers, lakes, large ponds and the sea coast, this cormorant is usually most apparent sitting on a snag low over the water with its wings extended to dry. It occurs in small flocks and is often associated with the larger Double-crested Cormorant. In flight flocks of these two species fly in \V\ formations with the smaller Neotropic Cormorant obvious. They feed underwater on fish, frogs and insects and often swim and feed in small groups together. The nest is a bulky platform of sticks placed in low trees and usually in colonies with other cormorants and herons.
Usually restricted to mountainous coniferous forest, only during especially harsh winters does the Mountain Chickadee descend to lower elevation riparian areas and broad-leafed forests for a month or so. This species commonly occurs in large mixed species foraging flocks with nuthatches, warblers, sparrows, juncoes, and bushtits, where they look for insects and seeds. Its nest is in a tree cavity
Large, noisy and gregarious, this jay is common in pine-oak woodlands of mountainous areas. The Mexican Jay is easily attracted to seed feeders but in the wild it relies heavily on acorns. The small family groups in which it travels all help build the large bulky nest that the dominant pair will use. The rest of the flock also helps feed the young once they hatch out.
Largely restricted to higher elevation pine and spruce-fir forests in the summer, this chickadee descends to lower elevation pine-oak forests in the winter. It often associates in mixed species foraging flocks with Bridled Titmice, kinglets, warblers, and nuthatches at mid to high levels in the trees. It feeds mainly on insects gleaned from leaves and bark and nests in tree cavities lined with fur and plant down
This wren spends all of its life in reeds and aquatic vegetation of marshy areas. Males often have multiple mates, and the nest is a rounded ball attached to reeds and made of grasses. Food consists of insects and commonly the eggs of other bird species nesting in the marsh. During the winter, the nests are used as roosts for the adults. A single male has been recorded singing more than 200 different types of songs.\r\n
During the winter, the Long-billed Dowitcher becomes gray and occurs in small to large flocks on wet mud flats and tidal estuaries. It catches aquatic insects and marine invertebrates by rapidly probing deep into the mud with its long bill - resembling a sewing machine going up and down and with its head often totally immersed. During the summer it becomes rusty-colored and moves to the Arctic tundra where pairs nest on moist meadows. The nest is a shallow depression in the moist grass or moss.
A skulking and often difficult to see species, the Lincoln\s Sparrow winters commonly in low shrubby areas often along riparian areas and near water. Here it feeds almost exclusively on seeds. In the summer it nests in coniferous forest bogs and wet meadows. The nest is a shallow depression in a moist grassy or mossy tussock and lined with grass and hair. The nestlings are fed insects.'
Common in brushy and open woodland, the House Wren makes itself obvious when singing. It forages in low undergrowth for insects, snails and spiders. Its nest is in a natural cavity, but it readily uses nest boxes as well. The resident population in the mountains of the southwest and Mexico is considered a separate species by some experts, the Brown-throated Wren.