West Indian Woodpecker

A medium-sized wheatear that is variable in plumage, but always has a diagnostic white rump and outer tail feathers in both sexes. The male has both gray and black morphs with white shoulder patches and black wings; gray morphs often have a gray crown. The female is sooty brown. Pairs and small groups perch on promontories in open shrubby hilly areas, stony patches on level ground, and around stone buildings, dropping onto the ground to forage. The similar White-headed Black-Chat resembles male dark-morph Mountain Wheatear, but has a black tail and rump and occupies broadleaf woodland.

This medium-sized all-dark crow has a unique batlike silhouette. When perched the tail seems normally-proportioned, but in flight it tail appears extremely short. Bill is short and heavy. Lives on high desert cliffs. Extremely aerobatic and often in medium-sized groups. Gives a high-pitched croak.

Chunky little bird of humid forest edge and second-growth thickets (especially with Heliconia plants) in tropical lowlands. Away from display areas, usually found in ones and twos perched quietly or feeding at fruiting trees and bushes from understory to canopy. Display often draws attention: loud clicks, buzzes, and whistles given by males low in understory. Unmistakable male often detected by low wing rattle in flight. Female greenish with yellow belly and orange legs.