Hooded Antpitta

Tiny sky-blue kingfisher with a snowy-white throat, belly, and facial patches. Male averages bluer than female, which has a greenish cast. Inhabits a wide range of freshwater and brackish habitats, including ponds, paddies, and mangroves. Like many other small kingfishers, hovers and hunts from a perch. Call is an extremely high-pitched metallic “tzeep!”

Squat, cryptically-plumaged shorebird with a very long bill. Inhabits a wide range of wetland habitats, from damp meadows to saltmarshes. Mostly inconspicuous, feeding in muddy ground by probing with its bill, usually near reeds or other grassy cover. Often not seen until flushed, when it usually rises from fairly close range with a rough rasping call. Breeding birds are more conspicuous, perching on fence posts. In display flight, birds stoop from high overhead and produce a pulsating, bleating sound from air passing through their fanned tail. In Asia, beware of extremely similar Pin-tailed, Swinhoe's, and Latham's Snipes, all of which lack the white trailing edge of Common and have a slower, less erratic flight.

A bulbous-headed brown bird with a comically large bill. Brownish overall, with a rich chestnut cap and paler underparts. Face is liberally splattered with black splotches, the largest patch on the ear where it forms a thick crescent. Pale yellow bill is oddly twisted, making it seem as if the bird is smiling. Prefers brushy habitats with dense cover, including bamboo stands and heavily overgrown field edges, in foothills up to montane areas. Joins mixed flocks. Can be difficult to see in thick cover, but will perch up to sing. Song a repetitive “aw-wi-WI-WI-Wi-WI” whose pitch and cadence may vary.