Rufous-collared Robin

Turdus rufitorques

Large, bulky thrush of highlands south of Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Found in pine-oak forest, adjacent farmland, and villages. Feeds on the ground in fields and also in fruiting trees and bushes. Often perches atop exposed tall standing dead trees early and late in the day. Male striking and unmistakable, if seen well. Female and immature male are paler and browner overall, with subdued rusty collar and breast. Some immature females have almost no rusty, but note yellow bill and legs and white streaks on feathers under base of tail.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Turdus rufitorques
Authority
Hartlaub, 1844
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Turdus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Indian Cormorant

Indian Cormorant

Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

A dark ducklike waterbird with blue-green eyes, a rounded head, a sloping forehead, and a long and slender bill that is sharply hooked at the tip. Adults are black, immatures are brownish with white underparts. Like all cormorants, frequently seen swimming with its body low in the water, head and neck pointing upward, and suddenly disappearing underwater to catch fish. Often perches upright on a rock, drying itself with outstretched wings. Seen in small groups, fishing communally in inland water bodies. Similar to Little Cormorant, but note the slightly larger size and shape of the head, flat on Little Cormorant and rounded on Indian Cormorant. Indian Cormorant is smaller and slimmer than Great Cormorant.

Buller's Shearwater

Buller's Shearwater

Ardenna bulleri

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.

Gabon Coucal

Gabon Coucal

Centropus anselli

A large, reddish-bellied forest coucal of Central African forests, occasionally found in more open and disturbed habitats. Most often detected by its call, which is a long or short series of hollow loud hoots, the last few usually lower, sometimes given as a duet. Overlaps locally with Black-throated Coucal, which has a black throat and a cream-colored belly.

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