Blue-eared Lory

Entirely the color of dark chocolate with a dark-tipped pink bill. Fairly large; similar in size and shape to Pink-footed Shearwater. Shorter-tailed and stockier than dark-morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater (which usually has dark bill). Also compare with dark Procellaria petrels such as Parkinson’s; note overall shape and differences in bill shape and pattern. Namesake foot color is difficult to see in normal field conditions. Fairly common over much of Pacific and Indian oceans; uncommon to rare off west coast of North America. Can be seen alone or with feeding congregations of other shearwaters. Breeds on islands off the coast of southern Australia and northern New Zealand. Not likely to be seen from land; stays further offshore.

Small, slender, and long-tailed bird found in dry caatinga scrub in eastern Brazil. It has grayish brown upperparts, buffy-yellow underparts and eyebrow, and conspicuous white patches in the wings and tail. Very similar to Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, but slightly smaller and tends to have duller yellow underparts and browner upperparts. Even their voices are similar, with both species giving rollicking series of rattling trills, often as a duet. Bahia Wagtail-Tyrant’s song sounds less dry and buzzy and includes more clear, whistled notes. Recently split from Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant, which is restricted to river islands in the Amazon basin.

The largest jacamar is glistening emerald-green above and orange below with a thick black bill. Sexes generally similar; males have entirely green throat and inconspicuous white collar, females have orange throat. Size and bill shape could recall a motmot more than a jacamar, but no motmot combines green head and orange belly. Singles or pairs are typically uncommon to rare in lowland forests, up to around 600 m. They typically perch in the middle to upper levels, and can be quite vocal. Listen for the long descending whistle with a noticeable break in pitch near the beginning, as well as various strange noises that sound like a very angry cat.