Plain Honeyeater

A small gray warbler with a bright yellow throat and eyebrow. All plumages are very similar; immatures are slightly duller and browner. Occurs in pine forests from the southwest U.S. to Nicaragua. Usually stays high in the canopy. Listen for a choppy musical trill, often broken into two parts. Compare with “Audubon’s” Yellow-rumped Warbler, which has yellow on the sides and rump no yellow eyebrow, and yellow restricted to the throat (not breast).

Relatively small, brown-black grebe endemic to New Zealand. Note the fine silvery back-swept feathers on the head and the distinctive yellow eyes. Adults are paler in non-breeding plumage. Sexes alike. Can sit quite high on the water; feeds either on the surface or by diving for up to 30 seconds. Frequents freshwater lakes, dams, and ponds. Found mostly across the North Island and in the northern part of the South Island. Distinguished from Hoary-headed Grebe by darker plumage and from Australasian Grebe by larger size and cinnamon neck.

Rather large thrush, gray-brown above and whitish below with rather rounded dark spots; tail has small white corners, lacking in appreciably smaller Song Thrush. In flight, looks rather pale and grayish overall, especially when compared with dark brownish Song Thrush. Found in a variety of wooded habitats, including parks and moorland with hedges and taller trees. Often feeds on larger lawns and grassy verges, often well away from cover. Sweet and rich-sounding warbled song is similar to that of Eurasian Blackbird, and very unlike Song Thrush. Dry rattle calls are distinctive.