Pacific Elaenia

Widespread in the Andes and locally at lower elevations. Favors open and semiopen habitats from rocky and scrubby slopes to bogs and lakeshores; often around villages and ski lodges, where it nests inside buildings. Often seen on prominent perches; can be confiding, but also flies long distances. Identified in most of range by size and extensively white tail. Told from similar but much rarer and slightly bulkier White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant by slender, all-dark bill (pale below on young Black-billed), and pale eyes (darker on young).

Medium-sized seabird, mostly dark brown with a contrasting white belly. Look for the combination of very long narrow wings and a heavy bill. Flight style is typically rather relaxed with slow powerful wingbeats. Found over warm tropical waters, where it can be seen singly or in loose groups with other seabirds over productive feeding areas. Breeds on islands in the South Pacific.

Most common roadside raptor across much of North America. Often perches atop telephone poles, light posts, and edges of trees. Incredible variation in plumages, including less common dark morphs and various regional differences. Eastern adults have brilliant reddish-orange tail and pale underparts with obvious band of dark marks across belly. Western birds are typically darker. Immatures do not have a red tail.