Sunda Brush Cuckoo

Medium-sized turkeylike bird restricted to very wet rainforest in lowlands and foothills of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. It is dark brown with white streaks on the underparts and a red dewlap. Similar to the more common Crested Guan, but is smaller, browner (lacking chestnut on the belly and tail), and shows little or no crest. Baudo Guan is usually found in small groups high in the trees, and is very sensitive to habitat alteration; it is rarely encountered away from remote, relatively undisturbed areas.

This huge, macabre-looking stork has a massive dagger-like bill and naked pink head and neck that appear severely sunburned. A white ruff and loose inflatable skin on the neck add to its odd appearance. It soars effortlessly at great heights searching for food; note its white belly in flight. Marabous are equally content in wetlands or in dry bush; they are most frequently encountered lurking near carrion, as they attend kills of major predators and will opportunistically snatch scraps. They also readily scavenge around humans and waste dumps.

Medium-sized gull, a bit larger than Ring-billed Gull and smaller than Herring Gull. Adults have medium-gray upperparts (slightly darker than Herring Gull), and red and black markings on the bill. Takes four years for immatures to progress from mostly brown to fully white and gray adult plumage; intermediate plumages are often mottled and messy. Many immatures show a pink bill with a contrasting black tip, and dull pinkish or greenish-gray legs. Always note dark eye. Common and fairly widespread in western North America, inland and along the coast. Can be found at parking lots, beaches, or lakes, often in flocks with Herring and Ring-billed Gulls.