Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk

Males are black-and-orange like an oriole, but stockier with a very thick bill. Nonbreeding males, females, and immatures typically have an orangey wash across breast with fine dark streaking on sides. Underwing coverts are always yellow. Bill usually looks bicolored, darker above and paler below. Fairly common in a variety of woodlands including mountain forests, thickets along desert streams, and backyards. Winters in Mexico. Regularly visits feeders. Listen for sweet robinlike song and squeaky call. Compare females and immatures with extremely similar Rose-breasted Grosbeak, which is usually identifiable by range. Black-headed usually has sparser and finer streaking on the underparts and more orange tones.

Chunky, mid-sized robin-like bird. Males are gray and orange, while females are brownish. There is regional variation: western birds are paler, and eastern rainforest birds more richly colored. Madagascar endemic that is found at middle and high elevations in the eastern rainforest, and very locally in dry, rocky habitats in the west. Perches for long periods, in the east in the forest mid-story, and in the west on rocks. Variable whistled song is easy to imitate. Darker than Littoral Rock-Thrush, with little or no overlap in range. Female similar to female Madagascar Magpie-Robin, but smaller and without white patch in the wing.

Small heron, usually found in reed beds, expansive marshes, and rice fields; can occasionally be found in parks with sheltered areas, particularly lotus ponds and shaded pools. Generally uncommon throughout its range; never in the high densities of Yellow Bittern. Male is smartly attired, with a black cap, brown back, and a white neck and breast with a dark line extending down from the throat. Female is darker, with fine white spotting on the back and pale brown streaks on the throat. Compare with Cinnamon Bittern. Males give a gruff “roof, roof, roof” on the breeding grounds.