Louisiade Spectacled Monarch

Extremely rare, large, elongated brown warbler with a long slender bill. Fairly similar in appearance to West Himalayan, Chinese, Baikal, and Spotted Bush Warblers, but breeding ranges do not overlap. Like other bush warblers, typically very skulking and furtive, preferring to run instead of fly when threatened. Emerges onto small bushes to sing, producing a dull clicking that would underwhelm a grasshopper. Breeds in weedy and bushy slopes in open alpine and subalpine areas; wintering habitat poorly understood but presumed to be similar habitat at lower altitudes. Very few sightings in recent years.

Big, fat, rather social and conspicuous sparrow. Endemic in highlands of Mexico. Occurs mainly in dry bunch grass within open pine woods. Feeds mainly on the ground but perches readily on rocks and in pine trees. Usually in groups that sometimes mix with other sparrows. Note the bold white eyebrow, rusty-brown cap, dark mask, and plain pale gray underparts. No similar species in its limited range.

Small black guineafowl with a long tail and a bare red head. Note the narrow line of black feathers along the back of the neck and the top of the head. Found on the ground in lowland rainforest, sometimes venturing into forest clearings or onto tracks. Usually in pairs or small groups, which are quite shy. The vocalizations include a long series of “too-wit” whistles and fast, repeated, metallic “ghik” notes. Similar to other guineafowl, but smaller, all black, without white spots, and with an all-red head.