Lord Howe Rail

Large cuckoo with horizontal spots and streaking and a very distinctive long tail. Mainly found in native and exotic forests during the breeding season where one or more of its target host species reside: Whitehead, Yellowhead, and Pipipi. Breeds only in New Zealand before migrating to tropical Pacific islands for winter. Difficult to observe up close. Gives a distinctive loud ascending screech “zzhweeet” which can be heard during the day or night as it migrates. There is potential for confusion with New Zealand Falcon; note the Koel’s straighter bill and distinctive long tail.

Streaky, small football-shaped bird, most often seen in flight as it flushes from almost underfoot. Male unmistakable, with natty black-and-white face pattern and triangular black splotch on the chest that resembles spilled paint. Female very similar to Common and Japanese Quails, distinguished by range and by proximity to a male. Inhabits grassy, open areas such as farmland, meadows, and grasslands. Disperses after breeding, occasionally to higher elevations. Male’s song is an odd, songbird-like pair of repeated high squeaks.

Medium-sized pigeon, usually seen on the ground in open woodland or along roadsides in northwestern Northern Territory and the northern Kimberley in Western Australia. Plain brown plumage, with white stripe along the edge of the breast. Distinctive facial markings, with comical red (Northern Territory) or yellow (Western Australia) facial skin. Takes flight with a loud clatter of wings. Compare Squatter Pigeon, Flock Bronzewing (with black-and-white facial markings), and both Chestnut-quilled and White-quilled Rock-Pigeons (with pale wing panels).