Ren

I live in the desert Southwest and have seen a number of adult Cooper's hawk from the Raptor category.  Onc particularly likes to spend time in our large Mesquite tree but it is striking to watch it fly across the yard with its long, striped tail.  It makes a kind of dorky squealing sound which was unexpected.  We also get solitary Roadrunners crossing the yard which I think might fall into the "Other" category.  Just once we watched one glide from the top of a high rock which was quite a sight.  Normally they cautiously traverse the open spaces with their tail and neck making a V-shape until they feel threatened and rotate their body almost parallel with the ground and speed away. Yesterday I was excited to see two Green Tailed Towhees from the Songbird/Sparrow category scratching under some Mesquite trees.  They were so beautiful with rufous caps and bright green along their wings and tail and a very clearly marked white patch on their throats.  I think they are uncommon in the area because the Merlin Bird ID app would not let me ID them.   So far I think the Green Tailed Towhees are my favorite bird that I've seen but I also enjoy the variety of hummingbird's the visit the feeder outside the window.