Rosy Thrush-Tanager

Small black-and-white shearwater with relatively long tail and somewhat rounded wings. Usually flies low to the water with fluttering wingbeats, but in strong winds it can fly with high wheeling arcs. Undertail coverts are typically dark, but this can be very difficult to see in the field. Compare with Manx Shearwater, which is larger with longer, more pointed wings, light undertail coverts, and a darker face. Found over warm tropical waters, especially around floating mats of Sargassum weed. Often seen singly or in pairs but can gather in loose flocks, sometimes loafing with other shearwater species.

A small bird of reedbeds and flooded grasslands in the Trans-Fly of New Guinea. Black underparts and face, brown to blackish upperparts, yellow rump and tail, and a pale silver-blue bill. Usually seen in small flocks. Adult is distinctive in range, but juveniles similar to co-occuring White-spotted and Gray-crowned Munias, but juvenile Black Munias show more contrast between dark upperparts and paler underparts. Gives a short “twe-twee” call.

Large, generally drab rail, but plumage variable depending on location. Can look very similar to King Rail. Atlantic coast birds dull grayish-brown overall with few contrasting features; faintly barred gray-and-white on sides and pale orange bill. Gulf Coast population brighter with orange neck, more similar to King Rail; note paler and more diffuse barring on sides and less contrasting dark streaks on back. Almost always found in saltmarshes close to the coast, where it can be abundant and vocal. Never in inland freshwater marshes, where replaced by King Rail. Usually shy, but regularly seen feeding along the edge of channels. Listen for series of harsh "kek" notes or loud, rasping grunts erupting from marsh. Sometimes hybridizes with King Rail where fresh and saltwater meet; some birds best left unidentified.