Chestnut Forest Rail

Breeding birds show yellow cap, black triangle under eye, streaked back and reddish-brown sides. Looks remarkably different in fall with distinctive lime green above and gray below with bold white eyering. Breeds mainly in secondary forests, especially areas with large shrubs and young trees. Does well in disturbed habitats, particularly power line cuts and areas that have been logged. Forages for insects. Winters in Central America.

Unusually small kestrel with a gray head, a rufous back, unmarked buff underparts, a barred tail, and a dark “moustache” mark on the face. Found on several of the granitic Seychelles Islands. Originally found in areas of rainforest with cliffs and other rocky areas; now found in secondary scrub, cultivated areas, plantations, and towns, as well as in remnant natural habitat. Unlike other kestrels, does not hover. Call is a high, repeated “krii.” Shares general falcon shape with migrant and vagrant falcons, including Eleanora’s and Sooty Falcons, but smaller, with shorter, less pointed wings. 

A medium-sized flycatcher with strikingly different male and female plumages. Male is beautifully colored, with deep blue upperparts, mostly orange underparts, and a white belly. Female is much duller, with a grayish head, gray-brown wings, a rufous tail, and rufous-washed underparts. Found at low and middle elevations in forest, especially in densely vegetated ravines and stands of bamboo. Song mixes melodious warbling and whistling with thin “seet” notes. Calls are a loud “chek” or “tak,” reminiscent of stones tapping. Male resembles male Mangove Blue Flycatcher, but generally found in different habitat and separated by darker blue back and more uniformly rufous underparts, including the chin. Female can be confused with many other flycatchers, but is usually identified by its combination of a rufous-washed breast and a lack of wingbars.