White-bellied Munia

Tiny black-and-white rainforest wattle-eye. Both sexes have a chestnut patch on the side of the face and blue bare skin around the eye, though this eye wattle is larger in males. Found in the understory of rainforest. Inconspicuous and difficult to observe; most readily detected by vocalizations. These are variable, but consist of piercing, high-pitched whistles which are repeated, sometimes for a long time. Somewhat similar to West African and Chestnut Wattle-eyes, but does not have a black chest band or extensive chestnut throat. 

Uncommon, inconspicuous raptor with a fairly small bill. Adult has a pale head and reddish underparts with black streaks on neck. Juvenile has a more reddish head with less streaking. In flight, tail has obvious square corners with a dark band at the base. Sails over forest woodland habitats just above the tree canopy, typically with little wing movement. Occurs singly or in pairs. At a distance, and particularly when heavily worn, take care to identify juvenile birds from Black Kite, which has more uniformly patterned plumage.

Tiny, bubbly, buffy-colored wren of damp grassy areas. Brighter cinnamon wash on flanks. Compared to similar Marsh Wren, note head pattern: Sedge has streaky crown and much less obvious pale eyebrow. Sedge also has barred wings and lacks plain dark brown shoulder patch. Also note habitat differences: prefers damp weedy fields and meadows, not cattail marshes. Generally secretive, but perches up when singing. Like most wrens, small size contrasts with large voice: one or two introductory notes followed by a loud, sharp, metallic trill of varying speed. Breeds mainly in the central U.S. and Canada; winters to northeast Mexico.