Moluccan Scops-Owl

Small falcon with distinctive male plumage: gray head, rusty back, gray tail with broad black tip. Female is brownish above, with barring on the back, wings, and tail. Note rather pointed wingtips (unlike rounded wings of Accipiter hawks), and distinct dark spotting on the breast. Inhabits open and lightly wooded country, farmlands, grasslands, and heathlands; often seen over grassy areas beside roads and at airports. Perches on wires and posts, and typically hunts by hovering, at times fairly high overhead. Very similar to Lesser Kestrel.

A small, pale gray nightjar with a short tail. Note the fine black barring on the tail, small black spots on the upperparts, weak rust-colored collar, and relatively faint rust-colored spots on the wings. In flight, note the white patch extending across the first three flight feathers and the white edges to the tail. Nocturnal. Inhabits dry and arid scrub and grasslands.

Rather plain sparrow-like bird. Sexes look alike: overall grayish brown and finely streaked with fairly plain head (narrow whitish eyering is indistinct). Note rather big bill, and fine dark breast streaks that sometimes merge into a dark blotch on the middle of the breast. A grassland species, found in open farmland, steppes, and heathlands. Mostly inconspicuous, but male sings from low perch on bush or fence, giving a unique if not tuneful song: harsh buzzing preceded by quiet knocking notes. Lacks white outer tail feathers shown by most buntings. Calls include various buzzes, as well as a quiet, clipped “tsi.”