Nicobar Serpent-Eagle

Common in tropical lowlands of west Mexico, where it is endemic. Found in woodlands, coconut plantations, gardens, and semi-open areas with taller trees, including towns and villages. Often noisy and conspicuous; calls include a sneezy "cháco cháco." Golden wash to cheeks is inconspicuous, but big black eye patch is diagnostic among similar "ladder-backed" woodpeckers. Male has flame-red crown patch and female has pale grayish crown.

Small bird with stubby bill. Upperparts grayish brown, underparts whitish, with varying amounts of reddish-brown tone in flanks. White upperparts extend above the bill, hence the name. Inhabits drier open woodlands and shrublands in southern Australia, where often forages on the ground in small flocks.

Medium-sized marsh bird, plump and chickenlike. Slaty gray below and brown above. Note bright red legs and long greenish-yellow bill. Most similar to Plumbeous Rail but lacks red on base of bill. Found in marshy habitats including pastures and rice fields. Secretive but sometimes seen feeding at the edge of dense grasses; flicks tail when it walks. More often heard than seen: listen for loud, grating squeals.