Mountain Swiftlet

A small, dumpy sparrow-like weaver. The breeding male is a mix of velvety vermilion and black; the narrow black forecrown is diagnostic. The female and non-breeding male are nondescript, with a short tail and strong buff eyebrow, and are difficult to tell apart from other bishops. Pairs and small flocks are always close to water when breeding, and mixed-species colonies occur in reedbeds and swampy grassland, but they disperse into adjacent scrub in the non-breeding season, often in flocks. The song is an extended fizzling sizzle. Breeding males of other red bishop species either have no black forehead, or have a much more extensive black crown.

The only thrasher in most of eastern North America. Fairly large and very long-tailed, with bright rufous upperparts and heavily streaked underparts. Also note white wingbars, staring yellow eyes, and slightly decurved bill. Usually skulky and difficult to see in shrubby habitats, especially second-growth woodland, thickets, and forest edge. Listen for its loud song, a long series of paired phrases, often containing mimicry of other species. Most similar to Long-billed Thrasher, but almost no range overlap. Brown Thrasher is brighter rufous above and lacks the contrasting gray face of Long-billed.

Often inconspicuous heron, roosts in trees by day. Feeds nocturnally, specializing on crabs. Adults have bold black-and-white head pattern and gray body. Brown immatures similar to Black-crowned Night-Heron. Yellow-crowned has longer legs and neck; thicker bill. Legs project beyond the tail in flight. Juvenile Yellow-crowned has smaller white spots on wing coverts than Black-crowned.