Long-billed Partridge

Cryptic nightbird. Note silvery gray and brown coloration; intricate patterning more distinct than that of shorter-winged Savanna Nightjar. Roosts on the ground and in trees. Breeds in open areas within dense forests, as well as mountain ridges. Winters in similar habitat, but can also be found in more open areas such as forest edge and scrubland. Song is a long series of hollow “byuck” notes, like the firing of a cartoon laser gun.  

This antpitta has a very small range in the northern part of Colombia’s western Andes. It was described to science in 2010 and is considered highly endangered. Upperparts and hood are dull chestnut brown, and it has a gray breast and belly. Similar to Chestnut-naped Antpitta, but in Urrao the crown is much duller and throat is chestnut (not gray). Inhabits bamboo-laden understory of high elevation cloud forest, and usually very hard to see, though it sometimes visits a feeder within the Dusky Starfrontlet Nature Reserve. Song is three curt whistles; there is a pause after the first note, and the last note is higher.

Medium-sized tern found on open ocean, beaches, and large lakes. Adults have pale gray body and black cap. Bill color differs by subspecies: most have red bill with black tip, but some Asian birds have all-black bills. First-years show dark outer primaries, dark shoulder, and black restricted to back of neck. Similar to Forster's, Arctic, and Roseate Terns. Separated from breeding Forster's Tern by entirely gray upperwings; nonbreeding Forster's shows black ear patch. Somewhat longer-billed and shorter-tailed than Arctic Tern, with paler body. Shorter-tailed and overall darker than gleaming white Roseate Tern. Often found in large flocks, especially in late summer. Gives a harsh screeching call "KEEE-yurrrr."