Fulvous Shrike-Tanager

A compact raptor endemic to New Zealand, with streaky cream-and-brown breast and reddish-brown undertail. In flight, note rapid beating of long pointed wings, and long rounded tail shape while gliding. Females are much larger than males. Widely distributed throughout New Zealand in native and exotic forest, as well as in tussock grassland and farmland. Will aggressively dive-bomb intruders close to nesting sites. Distinctive “kek-kek-kek” call given during attacks. Similar to Swamp Harrier but smaller; rarely feeds on road kill, actively chases prey, and glides with wings set flat rather than a shallow “V” shape like the Swamp Harrier.

Very local but fairly common in highland marshes of central Mexico; endemic. Favors extensive reed beds bordering lakes and adjacent bushes near water. Male is distinctive, with black mask blending into dark greenish upperparts (lacks pale border to mask of Common Yellowthroat, which occurs in same areas); also note extensively yellow underparts and dark legs. Female is darker overall than female Common Yellowthroat, with dark (not pinkish) legs. Voice subtly distinctive.

A small, stub-tailed, thick-billed songbird, with dark upperparts, white throat, and yellow on the underside. Males are dark, blackish-blue above, while the duller females are gray on the upperside. Usually in pairs, within the treetops of wet forest and adjoining areas. The only similar species would be female sunbirds, which can be eliminated on bill shape; White-throated Flowerpecker possesses a stubby bill. Song is a series of ascending high notes, and call is a single very high-pitched “whit” note.