Andean Solitaire

Big black-and-white vanga with a strong hooked bill. Madagascar endemic that uses all types of forest, and some plantations and scrub. Seen mostly in the mid-story, singly or in pairs. A serious predator that will grab just about any other animal that it can manage to swallow. Perhaps for that reason, doesn’t often join mixed flocks, and is often mobbed by smaller birds. Song is a long, ghostly whistle. Distinctive pattern, particularly black-and-white wing markings, unlike any other vanga. 

Large, terrestrial bird of flood-prone lowland rainforest; generally shy and difficult to see. Note all-dark appearance and small, red bill. Found in seasonally flooded forest, gallery forest in savanna, and near oxbow lakes. Forages on the ground for fallen fruit; usually alone or in pairs. Roosts in canopy and may flush into trees when disturbed. Told from other curassows in range by chestnut (not white) belly; Black Curassow is larger and has yellow knobs at base of bill. Song is a low humming, often given at night.

Handsome and uncommon thrasher of oak scrub, thickets, and brushy woodland; endemic to interior highlands of central Mexico. Tosses leaves noisily on the ground, but is usually skulking and rarely seen unless singing. Sings year-round and at any time of day (but mainly early and late), often from a prominent perch. Note the long arched bill, pale eyebrow, brownish eyes, and bold black breast spots (like eyespots, hence the name ocellated). Curve-billed Thrasher occurs in the same areas and is more common, but has golden eyes and weak blurry spotting on breast; beware, song can be similar.