White-eared Solitaire

Local and often rather wary dove of fairly open coastal habitats, such as beach dunes with desert scrub, overgrown fields, town edges. Resembles widespread Mourning Dove of North America, but slightly stockier, with a shorter and squared tail. Feeds on the ground, but most often seen in flight, which is fast and direct, usually rather low over the treetops. Best field mark is the white trailing edge to the inner part of the wing, usually quite distinct in flight.

Small and gracile bustard of grasslands, scrubby fields, and select agricultural matrices. Male is striking: black with pale wings and a filamentous crest. Light brown female is less eye-catching, but her size and shape set her apart from other similar species. Difficult to detect in tall vegetation; male’s crazy courtship dance puts him in view during the breeding season.

Chunky, long-legged, richly colored bird. White shoulder marks are conspicuous in flight. Elusive and shy; unlikely to be seen by those not searching for it. Found in eastern rainforest, at upper and middle elevations. Feeds in the understory, usually in thick areas, often with bamboo. Avoids disturbance by fleeing on the ground or making short flights. Song is a quick hollow “kwowp” note that is repeated slowly, delivered from a low perch, often a mossy log. Lacks the intricate scaly marks of Scaly Ground-Roller and the pale underparts and complex head pattern of Pitta-like Ground-Roller.