Crimson-breasted Finch

A rather small owl with a grayish-brown head, brown upperparts spotted with white, and whitish underparts barred with rufous. Common in most forests up to at least 1000 meters of elevation. Differs from the similar New Britain Boobook in barred rather than spotted underparts, lack of contrastingly dark chest, and lack of slim white eyebrows. Ranges unlikely to regularly overlap. Voice is a gruff, frog-like “kra-kra-kra-kra.”

A sleek forest bird that sometimes ventures into gardens and parks in search of flowers and fruit; prefers areas with palms. The adult is distinctive—clothed in black except for patches of yellow on lower belly, shoulders, and rump. No similar species occur within its range. Immatures are muddled yellow, orange, and olive, developing adult plumage over the course of a year. This plumage resembles that of female and young Baltimore Orioles, a scarce migrant and winter visitor to Hispaniola. Similarly attired Baltimore Orioles can be distinguished by their orange underparts and white wingbars. The song is a rapid jumble of squeaky and metallic notes. Calls include a buzzy “jrrrt” and a metallic “zhwee.”

Small stout heron; favors freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds with reeds and other surrounding vegetation. Tends to hunt rather sluggishly, hunched quietly at the edge of the water. At rest, appears buffy brown overall, but in flight transforms to mostly white when white wings and tail are revealed. Breeding adult has a rich buffy neck; nonbreeding and immature have a streaked neck.