Marsh Grassbird

Powerful dark brown seabird, resembles a dark, heavily built immature gull. Note eye-catching white flashes in the primaries when in flight. Adults have distinct pale mottling on the upperparts, which serves to separate them from adults of the very similar South Polar Skua. Juveniles are more uniformly colored, with warm-colored and largely unmarked underparts; note bulkier build and more powerful flight than Pomarine Jaeger. Breeds locally on moorland of islands and coasts in northern Europe, where aggressive near nests. Otherwise lives at sea, but may be seen from shore during windy conditions during migration periods. Feeds by pirating gulls and other seabirds, also by scavenging at fishing boats.

Tall terrestrial predator of the Chaco region. Plumage distinctively shaggy. Prefers dense, spiny vegetation, often with thick undergrowth, but can occur in nearby open areas. Smaller and shyer than Red-legged Seriema. Despite its large size, can be difficult to see, and is more often detected by its loud, far-carrying song.

Thrush-sized, plump bird of open habitats, especially near water. Particularly fond of disturbed areas, often around human settlements, clearings, and roadsides. Builds an impressive dome-shaped mud nest. Rich rufous above and pale tan below, with a whiter throat and eyebrow. Look for staring pale eye. Most often seen strutting confidently on the ground, and also perches high in a tree or atop a building to sing: listen for a long, loud, descending series of explosive “pee” notes. Mostly restricted to lowlands and foothills in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru, just barely occurring in far southwestern Colombia.