Yellow-footed Flycatcher

Thrush-sized, plump bird of open habitats, especially near water. Particularly fond of riverside woodland but also around human settlements, clearings, and roadsides. Builds an impressive dome-shaped mud nest. Rich rufous above and pale tan below, with a whiter throat and eyebrow. Dark reddish-brown eye. Most often seen strutting confidently on the ground, and also perches up quite high to sing: listen for a long, loud, descending series of rough chip notes. Occurs in lowlands across much of South America, from the base of the Andes in Peru to far eastern Brazil.

Seldom-seen pale gray falcon of inland Australia found in arid grassland and woodland habitats, where it sometimes perches high on communication towers. Pale gray upperparts and white underparts, with faint dark streaks below. Legs fully feathered (unlike the long, bare legs of Brown Falcon). In flight, outer upperwing (“hand”) is noticeably darker than the inner wing and back. Wings not as pointed as hobby or Peregrine Falcon. Pale inland Brown Falcons are often misidentified as this species: note that Gray Falcon is unlikely to be seen perched in low bushes or feeding from the ground.

Common and conspicuous dove of desert lowlands and foothills. Found in wide range of open and semiopen habitats from town streets and gardens to farmland and palm oases; range expanding rapidly south. Feeds on ground and in trees, sometime with smaller and plainer Eared Dove. Bold white wing band and broad white tail corners are distinctive; also note the violet-blue eyering. Mournful cooing song commonly heard all day long year-round.