Gray-and-gold Tanager

Large, boldly marked, and boisterous flycatcher. Rather stocky with large head and short tail. Looks bright and contrasty with yellow belly, black-and-white head pattern, and rufous wings and tail. Common and widespread throughout Middle and South America, with limited range in the U.S. (Texas). Occurs in shrubby woodlands, often near clearings or bodies of water. Listen for loud “kis-ka-dee” calls, which helps separate from similar species like Lesser Kiskadee and Boat-billed Flycatcher.

The most migratory of the Asian white-eyes, this minute bird breeds in the boreal woodlands of far northeastern China and Russia and winters in southern China and northern Southeast Asia. Frequently migrates in immense flocks and can often be seen in gatherings of thousands on headlands and islands. Bright yellow-green upper body, white underparts, and striking white eye ring give this species the general white-eye look, but the broad brush-stroke of rufous on the flanks distinguishes it from similar species. Vocalizations consist largely of high, sweet, rising “sweee”s.

Small, chickenlike dweller of dense forests and tangled edges. Dark brown above, with orange head and breast and black-and-white-striped sides. Juvenile similar but with brown head and breast, narrower white stripes below. Dark lead-gray legs distinguish this species from Red-legged, Band-bellied, and Ruddy-breasted crakes, which also show different underpart patterns. Sings at night from favored tree perches, a series of doubled hoots that recall Mountain Scops-Owl.