Pavonine Cuckoo

A medium-sized bird, brownish above and pale buff below, with a bright rufous tail and a distinctive buffy line behind the eye. Found in tall rainforest, where it occurs mainly in the midstory and canopy. Feeds on insects and forages actively, often investigating dead leaf clusters and other accumulations of detritus. Song is fairly fast series of nasal upslurred notes, sometimes preceded by a fast series of sharper nasal calls. Most similar to Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner, but Rufous-tailed is somewhat smaller and usually in higher levels in the forest. Note also Rufous-tailed’s brown rump contrasting with the rufous tail.

The only waxwing endemic to the old world, this species is similar to its Bohemian relative, but with pink instead of yellow tail tips and a yellow-tinged belly. Irruptive and inconsistent in its movements during the colder months, following crops of berries to wintering grounds, where it frequently gathers in large and noisy feeding flocks. Combination of dark mask, loose crest, and overall brown coloration distinguish it from similarly-sized non-waxwing species in its range.

A critically endangered Galápagos finch found only on the island of Floreana. Bill is moderately curved on both upper and lower edges, and slightly longer than it is deep. Male has a black hood, brownish-olive upperparts, and a pale belly. Female is tan with whitish underparts. Both sexes have faint streaking on the breast. Bill is black on breeding male and orange on female and non-breeding male. Large Tree-Finch has larger and more bulbous bill. Small Tree-Finch has slightly smaller bill and body. Identification is much easier when more than one species is present to allow direct comparison. Medium Tree-Finch inhabits forest mainly in the highlands but is occasionally seen closer to the coast, where it may be only a seasonal visitor.