Slaty-backed Hemispingus

A large and rather parrot-billed Galápagos finch. Bill is about as long as it is deep, with a very round upper edge and slightly curved lower edge. Male has a black hood and bill, a sooty back, and a yellowish belly with dark streaks. Female is tan with a pale bill, a whitish or yellowish belly, and brown streaks on the underparts. Very similar to Large Tree-Finch, which is smaller and smaller-billed. Most likely to be encountered in forest at middle elevations on the larger islands. Not present on the islands of Española, Genovesa, and Santa Fé.

Odd and distinctive terrestrial batis. Has long legs, an upright posture, and a white tail with a black dot near the tip. Found in dry woodland and savanna, often in rocky areas. Spends most of its time on or near the ground, though it will perch up in bushes. Usually in pairs. Vocalizations include piercing whistles, low croaks, and ratcheting calls. Similar to batises, but terrestrial habits and white tail easily identify it.

Huge albatross of the South Atlantic Ocean; breeds on Gough and Inaccessible Islands. Ranges extensively at sea from Argentina to South Africa, occasionally further east, but identification from other Wandering-type albatrosses is very difficult and often presumed by range. Plumage highly variable, starting chocolate-brown with a white face and gradually becoming whiter over many years. Younger birds separated from Southern Royal Albatross by darker tail, brown markings on head and back, and lack of black “lips” on cutting edge of bill. Older birds more difficult to separate; focus on more coarsely marked upperwings, often with conspicuous white patch in center of wing, and lack of black “lips”. Often shows orange stain on cheek, never shown by Southern Royal. Identification from other Wandering-type Albatross, especially Snowy, extremely difficult. Tristan usually occurs further north, but significant overlap.