Brown-headed Honeyeater

A diminutive dark blue kingfisher with no rufous on the ear-patch. It has an orange spot in front of the eye, white ear tufts on the sides of the neck, and an ultramarine-blue head and neck with darker blue bands giving it a scaly appearance. Upperparts glossy dark blue with paler blue central band down the back to the rump. White chin and throat with deep orange underparts. Males have black bill with brownish-red base, while females have almost entirely red bill. Juvenile also has dark blue upperparts, but has rufous cheeks and ear-coverts similar to Common Kingfisher. Inhabits well-shaded waterways in forested areas.

A highly secretive denizen of sawgrass marshes. This small brown bird, with heavy barring above, and a somewhat long, down-curved bill has no similar species within its range. It is most often found by its song: “Tseuu-we-we-we-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu” or variations thereof. The song’s middle notes and/or end notes are sometimes buzzy and the end notes are sometimes given as a trill. Calls include a series of rapid ticks, hard buzzy chips, and a variety of harsh notes.

A gregarious resident of dense tangles and thickets in otherwise open habitats; not found in dense forest or mangroves. The gray body contrasts sharply with its yellow head, but note that some birds have yellow on the chest as well. Prothonotary Warblers are somewhat similar, but are mostly yellow below with a green (not gray) back. Pine Warblers have a green back, white wingbars, and are usually more extensively yellow below. Song is a series of raspy buzzy notes. Call notes similar to song, but are given singularly or without pattern.