Bay Coucal

Unique among small owls with entirely dark eyes. Finely vermiculated gray plumage looks stained with bits of rust. Surprisingly common in montane forest dominated by pine, often mixed with aspen; one survey in Utah found 47 calling individuals along just five miles of road! Strictly nocturnal; most easily detected when singing low, muffled hoots. Feeds mostly on insects. Highly migratory; moves southward into Mexico for the winter.

The smallest of the three endemic New Zealand teal species. Small, flightless dark brown duck. Males have green iridescence on head and dark chestnut-colored breast. Females are uniformly dark brown. Both sexes show bold white eye-ring. More secretive than the closely related Auckland Islands Teal; most often found on the shoreline foraging through piles of seaweed or rocks. Also can be found on peaty streams or in wetland pools with adequate cover from sedges and tussock. Confined to Campbell Islands other than an introduction on Codfish Island, where a small population remains. Males give a soft trill as an alarm or territorial call. Females give a growl and a rapid quack. Distinguished from other New Zealand endemic teal species by location and more prominent white eye-ring.

An intricately patterned nocturnal bird, usually found roosting on the ground or a low branch in open forest, secondary growth, and cultivated areas. Brownish gray overall, with a rich brown ear patch and chestnut-and-black dappled wings. Exposes bright white tail corners when flushed. Sometimes found in parks and gardens, where it hawks for insects below street lamps. Song a repeated, soft “tok tok tok,” somewhat recalling the sound of a car's locking sounds.