Blue-Black Grassquit

Scan open grassland, roadside verges and scrubby fields for small finch-like birds; breeding males are glossy blue-black and perform a distinctive vertical jump-display with a buzzy call, while females and non-breeding males are streaky brown and easily overlooked. The display is most active during the breeding season and is often the easiest way to detect the species in tall grass. It is a common, adaptable seed-eater across much of its range, so open weedy patches near farmland are reliable spots.