Unicolored Blackbird

A pale terrestrial bird found only in coastal deserts of Peru. It is pale brownish-gray and lacks strong field marks. Very similar to Grayish Miner; Coastal Miner has a wing stripe, though this is only evident in flight. The two species mostly separate out by range, with Coastal Miner favoring the flat coastal plain and Grayish Miner preferring rocky slopes of hills and mountains. Coastal Miner is also similar to Short-tailed Field Tyrant, but lacks distinct wingbars and rump patch, and has a longer tail. Solitary, usually seen running through barren, sandy areas. Occasionally flies up to perch on a rock or bush, and also performs flight displays.

A small Galápagos finch with a dainty bill. Bill is slightly curved on both upper and lower edges, and longer than it is deep. Male has a black hood, gray-brown upperparts, and a pale belly. Female is tan with whitish to buffy underparts. Both sexes have a variable amount of streaking on the breast. Bill is black on breeding male and orange on female and non-breeding male. Bill is smaller and less curved compared to other tree-finches. Female is similar to female Small Ground-Finch, but on that species the lower edge of bill is straight--not curved. Found on most of the larger islands, but absent from Española, Genovesa, and Marchena. Inhabits a wide range of habitats and elevations.

Masterfully camouflaged nightbird. Shape resembles a cuckoo or falcon, but plumage is cryptic, like dead leaves. Patterning varies subtly over wide range. Male has white tail corners and white band on the wing. Active at night and rarely seen by chance, but might be flushed from daytime roost on the ground. Loud churring song at dusk and night may draw attention. Favors open habitats, from dry plains to forest clearings. Hunts from a perch on the ground or a tree, sallying out and flying with agile, rather jerky wingbeats.