Gray-bellied Comet

Fairly common in southern South America, from bogs and streams in the Andes to beaches, lakeshores, and pastures; usually near water. Feeds on the ground with a hopping and shuffling gait, sometimes cocking tail; small flocks form in migration and winter. Often in same areas as other cinclodes, especially Gray-flanked Cinclodes in the Andes and Dark-bellied Cinclodes in lowlands. Buff-winged is distinguished by clay-brown plumage tones, plain breast (vs. obvious streaking on Dark-bellied and Gray-flanked), and broad buff wing stripe shown in its raised wing song display.

A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest. Male has a black head, upperparts and chest, a single white wingbar, a white belly, pale orange sides, and white outer tail feathers. The female has a gray chest and face with a brown cheek, crown, back, and wings. Somewhat similar to Philippine Magpie-Robin, but White-browed Shama has a long white eyebrow and a rufous rump. Heard more often than seen. Song is a pleasant and varied whistled melody, often finishing in a low, descending warbling trill.

A small endemic songbird found only on the North Island of New Zealand. Note distinctive whitish head and underparts. Females and juveniles have cinnamon tinge to crown and nape. Often encountered in small feeding flocks that move quickly and loudly through the canopy with harsh chattering calls, trills, and slurs. Favors tall native forest and shrubs. Although a reluctant flier, the species is agile and acrobatic as it forages for insects, often hanging upside down. Male has a clear canary-like song. Adults can be seen feeding far larger Long-tailed Koel chicks, as this species is a favored host of that nest parasite.