Rio de Janeiro Antbird

Distinctive but variable: all plumages are some bold combination of black, white, and gray. Shows considerable variation in plumage across the world, but never has a clear, thin and contrasting eye-brow like White-browed or Japanese Wagtail. Occurs in varied open habitats, from wild grassy areas and wetlands to paved car parks and grassy lawns. Usually seen as singles, pairs, or small groups walking and running around, pumping the long, white-sided tail up and down. Identified easily in flight by its loud, thick and distinctive “tsee-tsee’ call.

Striking large shearwater with distinctive dark "M" pattern on upperwings. Also note crisp dark cap and clean white underwings and belly. Looks silvery-gray above when fresh, but worn birds can be more brownish. Graceful flight style. Usually easily separated from other shearwaters by wing pattern. Breeds on islands off New Zealand; ranges across the Pacific during nonbreeding season; uncommon off the west coast of the U.S. in fall. Rarely seen from land, prefers to stay offshore. Found singly or in flocks with other shearwaters.

A fairly small owl of forest on the Sulu Islands. Uniformly barred, with brown upperparts and head, orange-brown underparts, white speckling on the wing, a broken pale bar behind the shoulder, a pale belly, long whiskers around the face, and yellow eyes. Note the white throat patch. Probably the only owl in its range except for Mantanani Scops-Owl, but Sulu Boobook is rufous rather than gray and lacks the black line around the face. Voice includes strange clucking notes starting with a rapid series ending in three slower notes: “kukukukukuku klok-klok-klok.”