New Guinea Woodcock

Buoyant “river tern” with dramatically different breeding and non-breeding plumages. Breeding adult is wildly conspicuous in flight, with contrasting black-and-white plumage; at rest note white shoulders contrasting with black body. Non-breeding and younger birds are white with gray patches and black “earmuffs.” In areas of overlap, juvenile told from Black Tern by dark back contrasting with lighter upperwings and white rump and by black marking above the shoulder. Non-breeding Whiskered Tern can be similar, but has a faded, patchy dark crown instead of earmuffs. Commonly found in flocks around rivers, lakes, and wetlands, where it picks food from surface instead of splash-diving; generally not as closely associated with saltwater as many typical terns.

Distinctive-looking small bird found in riverside or lakeside vegetation such as reeds; generally avoids the densest stands. Buffy-brown overall with a dark head; Central Asian birds average paler than Iranian birds. Sexes are similar, but females are lighter-colored and less contrastingly marked. The ‘caspia’ form of Eurasian Penduline-Tit can be similar, but Black-headed has an entirely dark head instead of a dark mask. Like other penduline-tits, builds a hanging pouch nest, which in this species is typically woven between reeds.

Handsome cloud forest thrush found mainly along the east slope of the Andes. Visitors from North America may be struck by its similarity to American Robin. No other thrush in range has a chestnut belly. Adults also have a dark hood, yellow bill, and yellow eyering. Young birds lack the dark hood and have mottled underparts. Uncommon and usually encountered feeding in fruiting trees; rarely comes down to the ground.