Scimitar-winged Piha

A large crow that varies in size across its range; note its relatively long, daggerlike bill with curved top. Entirely black with a variable amount of glossiness. A frequent scavenger, feeding on carrion, leftover food from humans, and food stolen from other birds. Often gangs up to attack and chase other birds, especially raptors. Occurs in a wide range of habitats including woodlands, urban landscapes, agricultural fields, and open scrub forests. Call varies, generally a harsh or croaking crow.

An impressive long-tailed bird of wooded habitats including shade coffee plantations. Usually found in dense vegetation though sometimes found sunning in the open at first light with its tail spread. Note this species long straight narrow bill, brilliant red eyering, gray chest, and chestnut belly. The Mangrove Cuckoo is passingly similar but has a much shorter bill, a black mask, and lacks the red eyering visible on Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo. Secretive, but not shy, this species is often first detected by its voice. Song is a long, rapid, ratcheting “keh-keh-keh…” series that often accelerates and/or decelerates throughout. Other calls include a harsh, “craaa.”

A small loquacious inhabitant of scrubland, thickets, and brushy forest edges where it typically feeds within dense cover. The similar White-eyed Vireo can be distinguished by its smaller bill, greener back, and bright yellow sides; furthermore, adults have white, not dusky, eyes. The Cuban Vireo lacks the Thick-billed Vireo’s bold wingbars. The song is a scratchy jumbled “chick, didderwid-weee-zhee, chip” or variations thereof. Calls include a “zhip” given singly or in short bursts, a drawn-out harsh “zzhhe,” and a variety of chattering sounds.