Rufous-tailed Tyrant

A very small forest parrot endemic to the Sulu Archipelago. Overall green in color with a red forehead and rump, a dark bill, orange legs, and a small orange patch on the back of the head. Male has variable amounts of orange or red on the crown and a large orange chest patch, whereas the female has a bluish face. Note the long, pointed upper bill. Similar in length to Guaiabero, but longer-tailed and smaller-bodied. Voice includes a pulsing series of three or more notes: “tsik-tsik-tsik!”

A large owl of lowland and foothill forest, including secondary habitat and plantations. Warm brown with a heavily marked back, a heavily streaked rufous head and chest, and a more sparsely streaked pale belly. Note the square-shaped head with flattened ear tufts and the yellow eyes. Unmistakable. No other owls of similar size occur in its range. Gives a long, drawn-out, spooky whistled note whose pitch rises slightly, then falls at the end.

Small nightjar of savanna and grassland with scattered bushes and palmettos. Spends the day roosting cryptically on the ground, but at night may be found beside quiet roads and tracks. Like all nightjars, eyes reflect amber-red in lights. Plumage similar to other nightjars, but note the pale buffy eyebrow, buffy V-shaped stripe on the back, and bold wing spotting. Male has small white tail tip, lacking in female. White spots on male’s tail usually only visible in the hand. Song is high and insectlike, unlikely to draw attention.