Madagascar Nightjar

An entirely blackish short-tailed crow. Has a subtle purplish sheen that is visible in only certain lighting conditions. Juveniles lack purple gloss. Inhabits forest, edge, and plantations in the lowlands and foothills. Singles, pairs, or small groups can be found in the canopy. Recently described from Seram, and perhaps also occurs on Ambon and Buru. Unmistakable, being the only crow on these islands. Gives an odd call for a crow: a nasal, trumpeting “errr.” Gives more crow-like sounds too, but higher-pitched than many sounds of the family, including a high-pitched, guttural “kreh-kreh…”.

Stunning dark blue bird with a huge bill. Male is mostly deep cobalt with paler highlights on the shoulder and eyebrow and a darker patch around the eye. Female is rich reddish-brown overall. Found singly or in pairs in scrubby wooded habitats, often near water. Can be skulky, preferring to forage in dense thickets. Occurs mostly in southeastern South America, with disjunct populations in Venezuela and Colombia. Compare with Blue-black Grosbeak, which doesn’t overlap much in range and is typically found in heavier forest.

A tiny, inconspicuous flycatcher that is best told by combination of small size, relatively large bill, and dense scrub habitat. If seen well, note pale buffy spectacles and yellowish wing bars. Almost always heard before seen. Occurs in dense thickets and scrub, particularly in areas with sandy soils; may be found more generally in forest edge and disturbed habitats within its limited range, where it is uncommon but probably overlooked. Voice is a stuttering purr with a distinctive hollow quality, similar to other Poecilotriccus. Told from Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher by much duller plumage.