Clarion Wren

A large, very dark pigeon with a grayish head, a burgundy body with scattered small white spots, and a bright yellow bill and legs. Female is duller than the male. A scarce species found singly and in pairs in the canopy of primary and secondary forest, more frequently above 1300 meters of elevation; attends fruiting trees. Mostly quiet and inconspicuous, but gives a rolling, growling “crrr-crrow-rrrow-rrrow-rrrow” and other low-pitched pigeon-like cooing. Smaller Sao Tome Pigeon has a gray breast and an iridescent green nape and lacks Maroon Pigeon’s yellow feet and bill. 

Small antshrike with extensive plumage variation among subspecies for both sexes. Found in the lower and middle levels of woodland and second growth. Typical males are dark gray with a dark cap, white wing coverts, and a white-tipped tail. Andean subspecies are black above and black or barred below. Females are rusty-brown, with most having well marked, spotted wingbars. The song is a loud and fast series of 7 “ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka” notes.

An entertaining heron to watch—known for sprinting, jumping, and spinning around in shallow water with its wings held up. Dark morph is more common than white morph. Adults are dark gray with a rusty head and neck. Immatures are paler grayish and rusty overall. In breeding plumage, the pink bill and blue lores can become shockingly bright. White morphs are similar to other egrets, but note behavior, grayish legs, and pink bill base (adults). Found exclusively near the coast, especially on mudflats. Typically uncommon, usually seen singly or in scattered small numbers. Dark morph most easily confused with Little Blue Heron, but Reddish Egret is larger and forages much more actively.