Black Siskin

Medium-sized storm-petrel found primarily in the Pacific. Dark brown overall, with buffy carpal bars in upperwing and noticeable white primary shafts at close range. Tristram's and Matsudaira's are similar but noticeably larger (apparent with experience); dark-rumped Leach’s Storm-Petrel very similar but lacks white primary shafts, flies more erratically, on sharply crooked wings. Flight is often relaxed, on wings often held out farther from the body than in Leach’s. Inhabits deepwater areas but occasionally seen near shore during or after storms.

Dumpy, medium-sized alcid with a bright orange bill. Pale button eye and upturned gape give it a distinctly maniacal, smiling appearance. Blackish above and white below, with a long white “whisker” extending down from behind the eye in breeding season; in wintering birds, white extends up onto the throat. Clean white belly distinguishes this species from other similar auklets. Least Auklet has a similar color scheme but is half the size, has white cheeks in non-breeding plumage, and has white-mottled upperparts when breeding. Parakeet Auklet breeds on offshore island colonies, often with other auklet species; it winters offshore.

Very small, striped buffy heron of wetlands and lake edges with dense reeds and rushes. Boldly striped back pattern is distinctive. In flight shows contrasting broad rusty trailing edge to wings. Usually seen as single birds hidden in reeds or making short flights low over reeds or across patches of open water. Clambers easily and stealthily; hunts from perches over water, where sits patiently before stabbing at fish. Mostly silent.