Striated Laughingthrush

Large, terrestrial bird of lowland forest; unlike anything else in range. Appears all dark with paler belly; note long tail, heavy bill, and bare red skin around eye. Uncommon and shy; usually seen alone, on or near the ground, fleeing swiftly on foot at the slightest disturbance. Follows army ant swarms and herds of peccaries to prey on insects and small vertebrates flushed by the animals’ activities. Frequently snaps bill in alarm or while foraging. Far-carrying song is a single, gruff hoot, somewhat recalling Zigzag Heron, repeated at long intervals.

A medium-sized, short-tailed sparrow. Extensive plumage variation across range, but always streaky. Usually shows distinctive yellow patch in front of eye, but this can be indistinct or absent on some individuals. Some populations in California and Baja have larger bills and more muted gray streaking; others are very dark and boldly streaked. “Ipswich” Sparrow on the Atlantic Coast is paler with unique buffy-pinkish tones. Almost always found in open areas, from meadows and hayfields to tundra and coastal dunes. Tends to be found in more open habitats than Song Sparrow; also smaller and shorter-tailed.

Conspicuous, small crested flycatcher of highlands and foothills. Attractive cinnamon underparts, obvious tufted crest, and behavior are distinctive. Occurs in woodlands, forests, and plantations; also ranges into semiopen areas with trees and bushes, mainly in winter. Typically perches conspicuously at middle to upper levels and makes fluttering sallies for insects, often returns to the same perch again and again. Listen for a cheery, doubled “chewee-chewee.”