Flores Monarch

Beefy, medium-sized sandpiper. Brown-toned overall with yellowish legs. Slightly curved bill pale at base. Look for dense breast streaking with abrupt border at white belly. Males are much larger than females, and have a large air sac in the throat which they inflate during breeding display. Plumage and yellow legs might recall Least Sandpiper, but Pectoral is much larger and looks longer-necked. Compare with Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, which is brighter overall and has a more distinct dark cap. Breeds on tundra in the high Arctic. Winters mainly in southern South America, but small numbers also winter in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Typically seen in small flocks in muddy marshes or wet grassy habitats, sometimes mixed with other shorebirds. Much less common on open mudflats or beaches. Listen for low, trilled calls.

Medium-sized streaky foliage-gleaner, which hangs upside-down on branches and probes clusters of dead leaves, especially bromeliads in montane forests. Head and underparts are streaky with a well-marked eyebrow. Its pale throat contrasts with its rufous back and tail. The song is a repeated, sharp nasal “sreep-sreep.”

Very small quail of open brushy woodland and weedy fields in dry regions; endemic to interior southwest Mexico. No other quail in most of its range and habitat. Occurs in coveys for much of year, usually of 5–15 birds, which often feed along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Flushes explosively with shrieking chatter when disturbed. Sexes look alike, with dark crest spike and boldly barred belly.