Spotted Laughingthrush

Colorful, medium-sized bee-eater with rich rufous underparts. In flight, shows black patches at the back of the wings and sides of the tail. Found in forest, gardens, and lush woodland at middle and high elevations. Usually in small groups that perch high, often in conspicuous places. The calls include a simple “seep” and an agitated series of rising whistles. Similar to Little and Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, but much larger and more richly colored below. In flight, also shows much less rufous on the top of the wings and tail than those species.

A small, pale plover endemic to New Zealand. Gray above, white below. Note distinctive black bill with tip curving to the right, unique to this species, used to forage under stones for invertebrates. Breeding birds have a clear black band across their chest, thinner in females and varying from absent to distinct in non-breeding or juvenile birds. Breeds only along the braided rivers of Canterbury and Otago. The majority of the population migrates north to winter in large flocks in the harbors and estuaries of the northern North Island, particularly the Firth of Thames and Manukau Harbour. Commonly heard giving a “chip” call.

Small gray swift with a slightly paler rump and belly. Flight is fast but erratic, with the wings pushed forward. Only known nesting sites are in a few caves, but can be seen in flight over all habitats on the granitic islands of the Seychelles. The calls include high-pitched twitters and echolocation clicks. Usually easy to identify, as it is the only resident swift on the Seychelles. Vagrant swifts have longer wings and a longer, forked tail.