Scaly-sided Merganser

Striking and unmistakable in most of range; the only sapsucker in eastern North America. Long, solid white wing patch helps distinguish it from Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Adult male has red cap and throat; females are similar but with white throat; juveniles are messy brownish-gray overall. The namesake yellow belly can be difficult to see and is sometimes almost absent. Often looks disheveled, especially in fall and winter. Compare with the extremely similar Red-naped Sapsucker, which barely overlaps in range. Note male Yellow-bellied has complete black border around red throat patch, and the white markings on the back are more extensive and messy. Occurs in almost any wooded habitat, breeding in the boreal forest across Canada and wintering as far south as Costa Rica. Like other sapsuckers, drills rows of sap wells into tree bark. Listen for irregular drumming (like morse code) and various nasal calls.

Looks like a mini version of Boat-billed Flycatcher; in particular note Social’s small bill. Common in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in semi-open areas with trees and hedges, woodland edge, towns, gardens. Often noisy and ‘social’ (some of its calls suggest parakeets); usually found in pairs or small groups, often perching conspicuously. Eats a lot of berries, and often occurs alongside Boat-billed Flycatcher and Great Kiskadee in fruiting figs and other trees.

Dark treecreeper with a warm rusty tail, thin white brow and mustache, and a gray chest. Warm tones on the tail contrast sharply with the cooler brown on the back and wings. Inhabits broadleaf and mixed forests, where it usually forages at the middle and upper levels. Unlike other treecreepers in the region, gives a long rapid-fire rattling trill instead of a series of high whistles and twitters.