Plain-crested Elaenia

Boldly patterned, rather chunky sparrow of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands. Usually on or near the ground in shady understory and thickets; often in pairs. Bright orange bill virtually glows in the dark; also note the bold black-and-white head pattern and black chest setting off the white throat. No similar species in its lowland range.

Exceptionally secretive little rail. Overall the color of a perfectly toasted marshmallow; back pattern more complex with streaks of gold and black crossed by intricate white bars. Almost never seen in the open. When flushed, look for bold white patch on the inner flight feathers. Most similar to juvenile Sora; separable by back pattern and habits. If you're looking at a rail in the open, it's almost certainly not a Yellow Rail. Found in moderately wet marshes and meadows, where it finds cover among dense grasses. Most easily detected at night when it sings a distinctive song that sounds like two stones being tapped together: "tick-tick, tick-tick-tick", almost always in alternating sets of two and three notes, often confused with cricket frogs.

Large, distinctive corvid, roughly the size of a Eurasian Jay. Note the long and heavy bill, white-flecked face, and black cap. Note unspotted dark brown back and sides. Short tail, white vent, and white tail markings evident during undulating, woodpecker-like flight. Inhabits coniferous and mixed forests, from lowlands up into high montane forests. Often stores nuts for the winter. Mostly resident but large numbers may irrupt periodically out of the normal range in response to food shortages. Gives a variety of calls, especially during the breeding season, including harsh grating rasps, as well as quieter “mumbling” calls and mimicry. Formerly grouped with Northern Nutcracker under the more generic “Eurasian Nutcracker.”