Sri Lankan Shama

Small brown-and-white owl found in humid montane habitats. Variably reddish or grayish brown, with white spotting throughout and a black-and-white false eye pattern on the back of its head characteristic of pygmy-owls. Found in humid habitats at higher elevations than other pygmy-owls. Listen for its tooting song, usually given at a pace of about two toots per second.

A long and slender cormorant-like waterbird that often swims with its body submerged and only the “S”-shaped neck protruding from the water. Adults are mostly black with white flecks and streaks. Males have a rusty neck and a white stripe running from the eye down the side of the head, which is duller when not breeding. Females and juveniles are muted and brown. African Darter is widespread in freshwater wetlands, preferring placid to fast flowing waters. Cormorants have proportionately larger heads, bulkier necks, and hooked rather than bayonet-shaped bills.

A mostly gray warbler with yellow undertail coverts and a thin white eyering. All but the dullest immatures show a yellow patch on the breast. Breeds in open woodlands with dense understory, especially mixed piñon-juniper and oak on steep slopes. Winters in western Mexico, where it prefers dense thickets and brushy habitat. Listen for sweet two- or three-parted warble. Compare with Nashville Warbler, but Virginia’s is always duller gray, especially on the back and wings.