Makatea Fruit-Dove

Fairly common but heard much more than seen. This demure little brown bird favors bamboo thickets and other dense tangles at forest edge, roadsides, and along streams. Usually in pairs that move quickly through cover, showing only briefly. Plumage is warm brown overall with paler eyebrow and beady dark eye; might suggest a House Wren but plumage lacks barring, and identified easily if long “wiretail” streamers are seen, such as when flying across a road or trail.

The smallest of the five species of inca-finch, found only in the hot lower elevations of the Marañon Valley in the Andes of northern Peru. Handsome adult has a yellow bill and legs, a black mask, a rusty back, and white outer tail feathers that may only be evident in flight. Young birds are washed out and streaky, with less black on the face and duller bill and legs. Inhabits desert areas with scrub and abundant cacti. Feeds mainly on the ground, but often perches higher to vocalize or look around. Gives thin, high-pitched whistles, sometimes followed by a series of churrs.

Olive-yellow bulbul with a black head and unsettling sapphire eyes. Broad black band across the tail is especially noticeable when seen from below. No other bulbul in its range sports a crestless dark head, but look out for the slenderer and longer-billed leafbirds, whose dark throats may cause confusion when seen from below. Extremely rare gray morph replaces all yellow with gray, and intermediate birds have both yellow and gray patches. Inhabits broadleaf and mixed forests as well as edges, often in areas close to water. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks in the upper layers of lowland and foothill forest. Unlike many other bulbuls, not particularly vocal; gives occasional “chew” or “chep” notes, often while flying.