Tongan Whistler

Beautiful orangish raptor with a widespread distribution across Central and South America. Overall cinnamon-colored with dark barring on the underparts. Upperparts are darker brown except for contrasting cinnamon shoulders. In flight, note white tail band and mostly cinnamon flight feathers. Immatures can be mostly whitish on the head and belly, often with heavy dark markings. Note shape (short-tailed and long-legged) and habitat. Singles or pairs are found in open habitats, often perched conspicuously on a fence post or treetop.

Small falcon, usually seen in and around forest clearings or perched up on high vantage points such as snags and telecommunication towers from which it hawks for its prey. Dark gray above with brick-red underparts and a white throat and collar. One of very few small falcons throughout much of its range; can be confused with migratory Eurasian Hobby, which lacks the reddish underparts.

Immense and imposing owl of dense wet lowland and hill forests. Silver-gray adult is majestic, with a large yellow bill, black eyes, and sweeping sidewards-facing “horns.” Juvenile is much paler, almost white, with shorter tufts. Gives deep echoing hoots. Primarily nocturnal, but will on occasion hunt by day; takes prey as large as small deer.