Black-bellied Cicadabird

Essentially a ground dove with a long tail. Pale sandy color with scaly pattern covering entire body, unlike Common Ground Dove. Look for obvious white outer tail feathers and rufous wings in flight. Fairly common from the southwestern U.S. to far western Panama. Found in pairs or small groups in neighborhoods, parks, and scrubby desert habitats. Listen for repeated soft whistled song, sounding like “no hope.” Whirring wingbeats sound almost like a rattlesnake when it takes off.

Tiny secretive heron. Adult male has black back, brown neck, and streaked reddish-brown underparts. In flight, pale upperwing coverts contrast with dark back and dark flight feathers. Female and juvenile lack black back and have streaked underparts. Most commonly observed in early morning or evening clambering along the edge of reed beds. Calls include a distinctive repeated growling or croaking bark.

Unusual small, chunky flycatcher. At a distance looks entirely dark, but a good view reveals a chocolate brown base color and paler brown streaking on the underparts. Has long, pointed wings and looks like a bit like a swallow in flight. Found in rainforest, where it perches up on dead trees, especially at the forest edge and around clearings. Often in small groups. Not very vocal, but does give a quiet, variable song of squeaks, whistles, and trills. Easily separated from other flycatchers by very dark plumage and unusual habits.