Indochinese Cuckooshrike

Flocks of these large sea ducks enliven northern coastlines. Males are white and black with a soft suffusion of green on the nape. Immature males are variable and messy-looking with patches of black and white. Females vary from rich rufous-brown to cold grayish, always with extensive black barring covering body and wings. Slight variation in bill shape and color across subspecies, especially obvious on males; Pacific birds have brightest orange bills, most others have greenish bills. Dives to feed on mollusks and other crustaceans. In late summer, look for flocks of females with dozens of ducklings; broods often join together. Compare females with other eider species, and note details of bill and head shape.

Medium-size, overall gray pigeon with pinkish breast and an indistinct black bar on the closed wing. In flight, the pale gray wing panel contrasts sharply with the black wingtip and broad trailing edge. Underwing gray, also with a broad black trailing edge (underwing is usually white on wild Rock Pigeon and feral pigeons). Found in open woodland, farmland with hedges and scattered trees. Rather shy and mostly seen in flight. Feeds mainly on the ground, in pairs or small groups that associate readily with wood-pigeons. Gives a series of low, rather hoarse coos.

Bamboo-loving wren found locally on the eastern slope of the Andes in northern Peru. Brown and gray overall with black and white face and mustache stripes. Gray underparts are unspotted; crown brown with black edges. Pairs or small groups skulk in dense bamboo, where they are most often found by their remarkable voice, a truly operatic performance of low-pitched hooting whistles given by two or three birds at once.