Speckled Boobook

A large solid pigeon with a unique waved crest on the back of the head. Almost entirely gray with darker wing feathers. Tail is dark gray with a broad pale band. Typically seen feeding on fruit high in rainforest canopy trees. Also, often observed flying in large flocks at high altitudes over other habitats – look for the banded tail in flight.

Small and rotund with intricate brown, black, and white patterning. Some striking variation in plumage across range. Most males, including those in the eastern U.S., have bold black and white head pattern and heavy white spotting on belly. In Mexico, males can be entirely cinnamon-colored below and have a fully black head; some might have a white eyebrow or a dark chest band. Females are more consistent throughout range: look for buffy throat and eyebrow. Pairs or small groups are found in scrubby fields and brushy woods. Usually on the ground, but occasionally perches in trees when singing. The only quail native to the eastern U.S., where populations are declining sharply. Listen for distinctive “bob-WHITE!” whistle.

A medium-sized brown babbler with a cinnamon-orange rump and long black streaks across a white chest. Occurs in lowland and lower foothill primary and secondary growth forests. Like many other babblers, travels through the lower levels of forest in large bands, which call noisily as they go. Gives a loud ‘who-whip, who-whip, who-whip’ or ‘whup whup whup’ as they travel, as well as a loud, strident ‘ki-chirr, ki-chirr!’.