Black-collared Apalis

A very small flycatcher with a long bill for its size and a yellow eye. It is olive-brown above with whitish wingbars and indistinct streaking on white underparts. Considerable variation exists among subspecies in the color of the belly (gray or yellow) and the color of the back (dark gray or brown). Occurs in woodlands, shrubby habitats, and pastures with shrubs where it can be found foraging in the lower and middle levels; mostly in pairs. The song is sharp and descending series of trills “tick-tick-tr’r’r’r’r’r’r’r.”

Retiring, rather bland sparrow of humid tropical lowlands. Favors forest understory and adjacent thickets and tangles. Very similar to Olive Sparrow, which occurs in the same areas but prefers brushy fields rather than forest understory. Green-backed has brighter greenish upperparts and a cleaner gray head with well-defined black stripes, but best told by song. Songs of both species are variable, but Green-backed song typically rather even-paced, unlike accelerating notes of Olive Sparrow. Calls of both species similar.

A relatively small shearwater with uniformly white underparts. The upperparts are pale brown throughout with some of the brown extending to the flanks. The wings are almost entirely brown except for a white shaft down the middle. Though small in size, it is heavily built with proportionally broad wings. Flies low over the water with a purposeful and fast flight and smooth gliding. Feeds off the water surface and occasionally makes shallow dives.