Sulawesi Masked-Owl

Familiar but stunning jay found year-round throughout most of eastern North America. Bright blue above and pale gray below with a fluffy crest. Also look for black necklace and black and white markings on the wings and tail. Pairs or small groups travel through mature deciduous or coniferous woodlands, often revealing their presence with loud, harsh “jay” calls. Frequently visits bird feeders, where it is often aggressive towards other birds.

A small, slender-billed, mostly slate-gray cuckooshrike that shows extensive pale edgings on the wing feathers. Male has a black face and throat, while on females, black is limited to the area between the bill and eye. Singles, pairs, or groups can be found in wooded areas, plantations, and scrub from sea level to foothills. Confined to the Sula Islands. Smaller and more slender-billed than Slaty and Black-faced Cuckooshrikes. Male is darker overall than Black-faced Cuckooshrike, with no white tail tip and a less distinct black face mask, and black does not extend onto breast. Gives an upslurred nasal “whirrt” as well as “pik” notes.

Large dark pigeon. Body and wings mostly bluish-gray with maroon-colored neck and shoulders. Note red bill with pale yellowish tip. Immature paler grayish without maroon tones. Common from Mexico to Costa Rica, mainly in lowlands and foothills. Barely enters the U.S. in Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Typically seen in pairs or small flocks, often perched conspicuously in a variety of habitats, including open forests, patchy farmland, and mangroves. Tends to be fairly shy. Separated from other pigeons in Middle America by large size, bill pattern, and dark tail and undertail coverts. Listen for low cooing song: “whoo, whoop-a-whoo.”