African Golden-Weaver

Unique medium-sized owl of the boreal forest. Remarkably long-tailed for an owl; reminiscent of a small hawk in flight with quick, snappy wingbeats. Pale eyes give it an angry look. Brownish overall with white spotting above, barred underparts, and spotted crown. Feeds on small rodents by sight and sound. Often seen perched on the very top of a spruce tree or snag, surveying the surrounding landscape for prey. When rodent populations crash, large numbers of Northern Hawk Owls can move south of their normal range.

Medium-sized woodpecker with unique face pattern: red crown, pale yellowish forehead and throat, and pale eye. Otherwise glossy-black with streaky underparts. In flight, look for blazing white rump and wing patches. Typically fairly common from western North America to Colombia, especially in mixed oak forests and other open woodlands. Social and conspicuous. Occurs in family groups that breed cooperatively. Well-known for stashing large numbers of acorns in telephone poles and tree trunks. Listen for nasal “waka-waka” calls and chatters.

Attractive and distinctively patterned large parakeet, very local in Chile, more common in Argentina. Favors open and semiopen habitats in drier regions with banks or low bluffs nearby, where it nests colonially in burrows. Usually in small groups and often located by its nasal laughing and crowing calls. Feeds on ground and in bushes, at times perching on roadside wires. No similar species in range, but note whitish eyering and bright yellow belly with red median patch. Also introduced to Hawaii where it is uncommon and local (but may be increasing) along the western side of Hawaii Island; favors the coast, where it roosts and nests on rocky sea cliffs.