St. Helena Plover

Little-known and seemingly uncommon flycatcher of the Sulu Archipelago from Jolo south to Tawitawi. Drab brown overall, with a long slender bill; note pale throat and belly with diffusely dusky chest, as well as rufous tail. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, where it forays from a low perch in the understory or forest edge. Generally unobtrusive and difficult to spot in dark understory, but listen for its song, a disjointed series of well-spaced and high-pitched whistled notes. Formerly grouped with Philippine Jungle Flycatcher and Crocker Jungle Flycatcher under “Chestnut-tailed Jungle Flycatcher.”

A small, warbler-like wren of Andean cloud forest. Plumage is gray and white with a barred tail and vent, brownish crown, and faint streaking on the head. When seen from below in poor lighting conditions, the barred tail is usually the best feature to look for. Stays high in the canopy and is almost always encountered with mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations are very high-pitched and include gravelly trills and siren-like whistles.

Large, dark-eyed owl restricted to pine and pine-oak forests in western and central Mexico. Apparently rare and local; only known from a handful of sites. Roosts at mid- to upper-levels in large trees, sometimes in fairly open situations. Primarily nocturnal, but can be active at all times of day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Note dark eyes, cold brown and gray tones to the plumage, and combination of barring on the breast and streaking on the belly. Compare with Mottled Owl, which is smaller and darker brown. Listen for distinctive strong hoots, but beware distant dogs or other owl species.