Nullarbor Quail-thrush

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 chunky, dingy-looking, thick-billed songbird. Upperparts dark olive-brown, with a grayish head and a pale buff wash on the underparts. Note the pale bill with a dark tip. A rare species confined to canopy of tall, mature hill forest on Sangihe Island at sites where this habitat persists on ridges. Typically encountered in small groups or pairs. Most similar to Sangihe Golden-Bulbul, but Sangihe Whistler has a bicolored bill and lacks a yellow throat and face. Its loud song consists of around four repeated phrases. Also gives “churr” and sharp “wit” calls.

A large, dark nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Easily distinguished by two curled white feather tufts (“poi”) visible on the throat. Tail and wings have blue, purple, and green iridescence. Found throughout much of New Zealand, including Auckland, Kermadec, and Chatham Islands, though mostly absent from Canterbury. Favors native forest and scrub, also venturing into suburban parks, farmland, and rural gardens. Often detected by its unique voice consisting of melodious notes intermixed with croaks, coughs, clicks, and wheezes. Also listen for its noisy whirring flight. Similar to male Eurasian Blackbird, but easily identified by its white throat feathers and iridescence. Song can be easily confused with that of a bellbird, but listen for distinct loud coughs, grunts, and wheezes in Tui song.