Streak-headed Antbird

Attractive small finch of highlands and foothills, mainly in drier habitats. Favors pine-oak forests, edges, and adjacent weedy clearings. Usually in small groups, which may associate with other finches and small seed-eating birds, especially when coming to drink. Adult is boldly patterned black and yellow with black hood and big yellow wing patch. Immature duller, without black hood; resembles female Lesser Goldfinch but note the yellow wing patches and pointed gray bill.

Large scoter, with distinctive white patch on wing. Dark chocolate-brown overall; males are darker than females and have small white mark under eye, dark knob on the bill, and pink bill tip. Females have two rounded white patches on face. At a distance, separated from Surf Scoter by more sloping head shape and white in the wing. Winters on coastal waters and large freshwater lakes. Occasionally found on large inland lakes during migration. Dives frequently, feeding on mollusks and crustaceans.

Flocks of these large sea ducks enliven northern coastlines. Males are white and black with a soft suffusion of green on the nape. Immature males are variable and messy-looking with patches of black and white. Females vary from rich rufous-brown to cold grayish, always with extensive black barring covering body and wings. Slight variation in bill shape and color across subspecies, especially obvious on males; Pacific birds have brightest orange bills, most others have greenish bills. Dives to feed on mollusks and other crustaceans. In late summer, look for flocks of females with dozens of ducklings; broods often join together. Compare females with other eider species, and note details of bill and head shape.