Snowy Sheathbill

Unusual small, chunky flycatcher. At a distance looks entirely dark, but a good view reveals a chocolate brown base color and paler brown streaking on the underparts. Has long, pointed wings and looks like a bit like a swallow in flight. Found in rainforest, where it perches up on dead trees, especially at the forest edge and around clearings. Often in small groups. Not very vocal, but does give a quiet, variable song of squeaks, whistles, and trills. Easily separated from other flycatchers by very dark plumage and unusual habits.

Fairly small, stocky shorebird with short, chisel-like bill. Dark charcoal-colored overall with white belly. In breeding plumage, look for diffuse white eyebrow and small white patch on face. Bold black-and-white pattern is striking in flight. Restricted to the Pacific coast of North America, breeding on grassy tundra in Alaska and wintering regularly to southern Baja California. Found on oceanside rocks and jetties; essentially never seen inland. Typically in small flocks, often mixed with other rock-loving shorebirds like Surfbird. Compared with Ruddy Turnstone, Black Turnstone is, fittingly, much darker: it lacks the rufous tones and bold neck pattern of Ruddy. Also note Black Turnstone's duller legs.

Gray-brown laughingthrush with pale eyes and a prominent yellow patch on the wings. Can be very tame; a common sight around campsites, rest stops, and tourist attractions throughout much of its range. Garrulous and social, often seen in small to medium-sized flocks. When not scrounging for human-made trash, it forages on the ground and in low undergrowth, sometimes associating with other species in mixed flocks. Adaptable, inhabiting forests, open scrubby areas, and parks.