Pectoral-patch Cisticola

A remarkably patterned quail, uncommon and difficult to spot as it runs through open grassy woodlands in dry regions of the southwest U.S. and Mexico. Male looks like he’s are wearing a black-and-white helmet; otherwise look for bold spots and streaks covering body and wings. Female is more subtly patterned with shades of brown; look for rounded, puffy head shape. Between bursts of running, often crouches motionless and becomes nearly invisible. Rarely flies unless flushed at very close range; most often seen crossing a road or trail. Male song is a rich descending whistle with unique ethereal tone like an incoming spaceship.

A small, chunky robin-like bird. Males are black and white and quite variable, sometimes having a white eyebrow and showing a variable amount of rufous on the underparts. Females are dark brown on the back and pale below, with some rufous on the breast. Found in a wide variety of habitats on the island of Reunion, including humid forest, heath, farms, gardens, montane grassland, and scrub. Most common at middle and high elevations. Perches up conspicuously and often flicks the wings. Distinctive within its restricted range. Song is a quick jumbled mix of high-pitched scratchy notes. 

A compact owl with brownish face and upperparts. Note the bold, rust-colored streaks running down the underparts. The vent is usually white, and the tail has bars running across it. Relatively shy, active outside daylight hours in well-wooded areas. The call is a distinctive low and resonant guttural “kroooo.”