Yellow-backed Tanager

Brilliantly-colored tanager of Andean cloud forest in western Ecuador and western Colombia. Male is bright emerald-green with small red and white spots on sides of head. Female and immature are slightly duller and may lack head spots. Usually found in small groups that forage energetically in lower to middle levels of the forest, and often joins mixed-species flocks. Visits feeders in some areas.

Spectacular, broad-winged, short-tailed hawk of lowland tropical forest. Usually seen soaring in mid-late morning or perched quietly in the forest canopy. Basically unmistakable, but beware of rare albino forms of other hawks. Plumage is white overall with black wingtips and a black tail band. Immature has more black on wings, as do adults of populations in southern Central America. Note dark eyes and pale grayish base to the bill (versus yellow on most hawks).

Small forest bird with distinct large head and short tail, endemic to New Zealand. The five subspecies are restricted to North, South, Snares, Auckland, and Chatham Islands, respectively. Plumage is variable depending on sex and location. Males are generally black and white, females brown and white. Both sexes have a white spot at the base of the bill, which is raised as a threat display. Favors mature native forests, but also uses scrub and exotic forest stands. Feeds in understory of forest but will come out in the open. Perches on trunks and branches before swooping down to take insect prey. Listen for musical male song “ti-oly-oly-oly-ho,” often likened to a squeaky gate being opened and shut.