Madagascar Fish-Eagle

Medium-sized, rather slender owl with long "ear" tufts. Extensive range across Northern Hemisphere. North American birds are rather dark and coarsely marked, with pumpkin-colored face patches and yellow eyes. Eurasian populations are paler overall, especially on the face, and have reddish eyes. Strictly nocturnal; rarely seen foraging at dusk and dawn. Found in areas with a mix of dense cover for roosting, such as brushy thickets or conifer groves, and open spaces for hunting. Generally uncommon to rare and seldom-seen, but can gather in communal winter roosts with dozens of individuals (if you're lucky enough to find a roost, do not disturb the birds). Compare with Short-eared Owl. Typical vocalization is a single low “woop” repeated every few seconds; also gives a wide range of maniacal catlike screeches and doglike barks.

A small but conspicuous noisy species found in a variety of open and disturbed habitats that contain palms; often found in small flocks high in palm trees. Its appearance is unique within its range; note its dark brown upperparts combined with heavily streaked white underparts, a pale thickset bill, and a brilliant red eye. Vocalizations include a wide variety of buzzy, squeaky, and whistled notes.

A small, dark songster of montane rainforest floor and undergrowth on Java. Male is overall slaty-gray but slightly paler on the belly. Female has a slaty-gray head and chest, rufous-brown tail, rump, wings and back, and a slightly paler orange-brown belly. Both sexes have thin, white eyebrows and long, black legs. Forages on the ground but also hops on logs and low branches. Male is superficially similar to Javan Blue Robin but the shortwing’s tail is shorter and it lacks the white forehead. Song is a series of random, tuneless whistles.