Puerto Rican Woodpecker

Flocks of these large sea ducks enliven northern coastlines. Males are white and black with a soft suffusion of green on the nape. Immature males are variable and messy-looking with patches of black and white. Females vary from rich rufous-brown to cold grayish, always with extensive black barring covering body and wings. Slight variation in bill shape and color across subspecies, especially obvious on males; Pacific birds have brightest orange bills, most others have greenish bills. Dives to feed on mollusks and other crustaceans. In late summer, look for flocks of females with dozens of ducklings; broods often join together. Compare females with other eider species, and note details of bill and head shape.

Long-tailed with long, slender bill that is sharply downcurved. Drab grayish-brown without any markings. Paler on throat; warmer orangey color on belly. Often hard to see when lurking in dense shrubs. Sings from prominent perches. Song is seemingly endless and complex. Forages primarily on the ground. Range restricted to dense brush and woodland in California and Baja California.

A relatively plump and squat imperial-pigeon with a deep chestnut underside, a bright green back and wings, a pale pinkish chest, a gray neck, and a white eye-ring. White tail band sandwiched between two black tail bands is diagnostic. An unobtrusive pigeon that often sits motionless in the canopy of old-growth forest. Rarely seen flying above the canopy. Juvenile Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon could cause confusion, but lacks the bold tail pattern. Voice of Finsch’s little known, but the species has been heard giving a long gruff coo reportedly similar to a steam engine’s whistle.