White-shouldered Tanager

Streaked brown above and yellow below with distinctive black "V" on breast. In flight, short wings and spiky tail with white outer feathers are apparent. Breeds in fields and grasslands throughout much of western North America, regularly as far east as Michigan. Winters in a wider range of open habitats, even agricultural fields and roadsides. Extremely similar to Eastern Meadowlark and best distinguished by voice: listen for musical gurgling song and "chuk" calls. In winter, plumage looks paler and more washed-out than Eastern Meadowlark, with a less contrasting head pattern. Western is also more likely to be in flocks and areas with shorter grass (less pristine, extensive grasslands).

A black-and-white shag with a bright white throat and underside and a mostly black upperside. Note the bright blue eye-ring and large yellow warty patch of skin in front of the eyes. Breeding adult has a wispy crest. Marine, nesting coastally. No other similar birds occur within its limited range. Calls include growls, barks, and hisses.

A striking, long-tailed kingfisher of lowland and foothill forest, including mangroves and riverine forest. Red bill and rump, deep orange underparts, black upperparts with blue crown, shoulder and long tail with 2 white spatules. Perches in the midstory of the forest interior. The most similar Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher appear not to co-occur, but gets close and Red-breasted differs in having a black rather than brown head. Buff-breasted is superficially similar but has a white back and tail. Song, a forceful downward trill “brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr….!”