Rouget's Rail

Combination of intricately barred back and belly, gray throat and breast, and rufous crown and nape separates this furtive bird from similar species. Like many other rails, moves about unobtrusively in dense vegetation in marshes, wet grasslands, flooded pastures, and mangroves. Occasionally forages in the open in close proximity to cover, especially in early morning and evening. Calls include a dry, series of kick notes that increase in tempo; a dry, scratchy, metallic “krrrr”; and single, short clucks.

Small, charismatic flycatcher of forest understory. Key field mark is gray head contrasting with white throat and tawny underparts. Found in tall rainforest where it is relatively uncommon and difficult to see well; usually alone or in pairs. Forages from low perches, darting up to scoop insects from undersides of leaves. Slightly larger, chunkier, and plainer-faced than other spadebills. Often first detected by its sharp call note; distinctive song is a rising then falling trill.

A brightly-colored bird of dense evergreen forests, usually seen perched quietly on a mid-story perch. Varies in coloration throughout its range but always follows the same general color scheme: male has a dark red head and belly, a brown back, and barred black-and-white wings. Female has a more faded-red belly and a brown head. Both sexes, when seen from below, have a sharply contrasting and graduated black-and-white tail pattern. Sluggish and typically stationary and difficult to see; listen for its high-pitched gulping hoots.