Buru Monarch

Small, active, and locally distributed. Key field mark is overall bronzy color, which is evident in good light but hard to see otherwise. Found in low-stature forest and scrub on sandy soils. Small groups spend much time perched on bare branches, sallying for flying insects and returning to perches to eat them. Confusion is possible with Green-tailed Jacamar, but Bronzy is smaller, shorter-tailed, and lacks obvious green in plumage. Vocalizations include a distinctive, stuttering, rising series of notes.

Dark and robust inhabitant of open subalpine areas with sparse vegetation, such as shrubby slopes, gardens, and plantations. Seldom seen in dense forests. Adult males are inky black with a bright orange bill and no eyering. Females look similar, but are dark brown instead of black with a dark orange bill. Very similar to Indian and Chinese Blackbirds, but Tibetan Blackbirds are larger and more uniformly dark than either Indian or Chinese Blackbirds.

Streaked brown above and yellow below with distinctive black "V" on breast. In flight, short wings and spiky tail with white outer feathers are apparent. Breeds in fields and grasslands throughout much of western North America, regularly as far east as Michigan. Winters in a wider range of open habitats, even agricultural fields and roadsides. Extremely similar to Eastern Meadowlark and best distinguished by voice: listen for musical gurgling song and "chuk" calls. In winter, plumage looks paler and more washed-out than Eastern Meadowlark, with a less contrasting head pattern. Western is also more likely to be in flocks and areas with shorter grass (less pristine, extensive grasslands).