Upland Pipit

Small sandpiper with relatively long, droopy bill (longer on females). In breeding plumage, shows rich rufous tones on shoulders, cheeks, and crown. Nonbreeding is plain pale gray above and white below. Juveniles look pale-faced and have a bright strip of rufous feathers on the upper edge of the wings. Most similar to Semipalmated Sandpiper, which averages shorter-billed and duller grayish-brown overall. Extremely difficult to distinguish in winter; note Western is somewhat larger-headed and more front-heavy. Droopy bill might recall Dunlin, but Western is smaller and paler. Breeds on high Arctic tundra in Alaska. In migration and winter, occurs in large flocks on mudflats and beaches. Much more common in western North America; uncommon to rare on the east coast. Occurs in the winter in the U.S., unlike Semipalmated Sandpiper; regularly winters as far south as Peru, rare to Chile.

A huge, rare kingfisher of rainforest interior from lowlands to mid-mountains. Its unnaturally large bill makes it look almost unrecognisable as a kingfisher. Dark wing and head, rufous belly, broad collar and stripe behind the eye, white throat and a large blue rump. Uses its huge bill for unearthing its invertebrate prey on bare areas on the forest floor. Superficially similar to Rufous-bellied Kookaburra but has a dark instead of blue wing and a much deeper bill. Call, a far-carrying, medium-pitched, incessant piping “peeep!”.

Massive snipe found in flooded savanna and grasslands where it usually flushes at close range, showing rounded wings and trailing legs. Has a very long broad-based bill. Yellowish head with two large black streaks. Breast and belly are quite pale and heavily streaked, contrasting with the bold rufous and black lines on the back. Usually detected by sound. On the ground sings a nasal mechanical “aga-aga-aga,” whilst in flight produces an eerie “Hori-go, Hori-go”.