Patagonian Sierra Finch

A sleek cuckooshrike in which males and females look strikingly different. Males are entirely black with a red or occasionally yellow-orange shoulder patch. Females have olive-gray upperparts and pale underparts with fine dark barring. Found in lush woodland and cultivation, gallery forest, and along forest edge. Male closely resembles other black male cuckooshrikes, especially Black Cuckooshrike, but note red or yellow-orange (instead of yellow) shoulders. The female closely resembles female Black Cuckooshrike, but is distinguished by its mostly black undertail with yellow edgings. Inconspicuous vocalizations include a “tik” call and a high-pitched, jumbled song. 

Australian crows and ravens are challenging to identify; concentrate on call, throat-hackles, behavior, and location. Calls typically end with a very long, drawn-out wail. The very long throat hackles lend it a bulbous-bearded appearance. Inhabits many habitats in southwestern Western Australia and much of eastern Australia. Essentially the default crow/raven in Sydney and Perth.

Medium-sized wren, slender and long-tailed. Dark brown above and pale grayish below with a bold white eyebrow. Slender bill is slightly decurved. Superficially similar to Carolina Wren but duller grayish-brown and slightly longer-tailed. Occurs in a variety of scrubby habitats, especially thickets and hedgerows in open woodland. Also at home in gardens, residential areas, and parks. Usually skulking, but sometimes perches conspicuously when singing. Song is variable, but usually includes high-pitched buzzes and musical trills.