White-capped Monarch

A giant, round-headed, ginger-rufous owl covered by dusky bars, spots, and chevrons. Quite shy; day-roosts are well-hidden in huge trees along permanent rivers and forested swamps with sluggish backwaters. The call is a deep, low, horn-like “Ooom”; also produces a series of grunts. Young birds sometimes emit an eerie screeching: “wheeeuuu”. Similar Rufous Fishing-Owl is smaller and brighter; it lacks bars and chevrons on the underparts. Vermiculated Fishing-Owl has a heavily-streaked upper breast and a pale-yellow (not black) beak.

Breeding males have obvious white blaze on forehead and broad green slash behind eye. Females are plainer brown with rusty sides. Females are very difficult to distinguish from female Eurasian Wigeon; note colder grayish-brown head on American that contrasts with warmer orangey sides. Also look for brighter white, not gray, underwings in flight, but this can be difficult to judge, especially at a distance. Widespread and common in North America, occasionally wintering as far south as northern South America. Typically in flocks on lakes and wetlands, often grazing in nearby fields. Regular vagrant to Europe.

Short-tailed, thrushlike flycatcher. Male mostly dark blue, with bright blue shoulder, and dark bill. Female all rufous, with blue shoulder patch. Very secretive bird of the shady understory and ground, inside gullies within montane forest. Dark male resembles larger Indian Blackbird, although Whistling-Thrush is dark-billed, with a shorter tail. Female similar to other nondescript, brown songbirds, but uniform rufous coloration and blue shoulder patch identifies it from all others. Voice includes a high-pitched “sreee” and “si” notes, as well as a complex, rapid twittering song comprised of varied pitch, whistled notes.