Smoky Honeyeater

Huge gamebird of conifer forest, adjacent moorland, and clearings with shrubs, mainly in wilder areas. Mostly elusive, but occasional males go "rogue" and attack hikers. Groups of males display just after dawn in early spring, holding their tail raised and fanned like a turkey. Massive male is blackish overall with long tail, white shoulder spot. Female appreciably smaller than male, told from smaller female Black Grouse by unbarred rusty breast and bright rusty tail with black bars.

Anis are bizarre, coal-black cuckoos with long floppy tails and unique, curiously tall, flattened bills. Smooth-billed occurs in a variety of open and semi-open habitats in tropical lowlands and foothills, typically staying low in shrubs and grasses. Gregarious and not particularly graceful; usually seen crashing around awkwardly in small groups. Flies with choppy wingbeats and long glides. Widespread and common throughout much of South America and the Caribbean, extending as far west as the Pacific slope of Costa Rica and north to Florida. Compare with the very similar Groove-billed Ani, which overlaps in some areas of Central and South America. Note especially the bill shape: Smooth-billed often (but not always) has a taller ridge on the top of the bill, and a sharper angle on the lower edge of the bill. The sides are typically smooth, rarely with weak grooves. Voice is also important: listen for a rising, hawklike whistle with an inflection at the end. Dark eye, size, and habitat help separate from Greater Ani in South America and Panama.

Greenish-yellow bulbul with a dark head and crest. Pale eyes give it a perpetually angry or surprised appearance. Found in forests from lowlands up into foothills and submontane areas; generally favors more open forests instead of dense cover. Often in pairs or small groups, seldom in large flocks. Song brief, fluid, and melodic, the highest note usually at or near the end.