Semipalmated Sandpiper

Large but light-bodied shearwater with rather broad wings and a long, wedge-shaped tail often held closed in a point. Fairly common in warm tropical waters and at times visible from shore. Occurs locally in flocks of hundreds; elsewhere occurs in smaller numbers. Usually seen with feeding flocks of other seabirds. Typical flight is unhurried with easy buoyant glides and stiff wingbeats. Plumage variable: most birds are gray-brown above and whitish below; others are dark brown overall. Note pale scaly edgings to back feathers and slender grayish bill.

Tiny, highly endangered hummingbird found very locally in the desert of northern Chile. Favors native desert scrub in lowland valleys, but widely eliminated from most areas by intensive agriculture. Male most often detected by insectlike buzz made by wings in flight. Also perches conspicuously atop bushes and on wires; note diagnostic crossed tail feathers. Female similar to Peruvian Sheartail, but has shorter tail with pale rusty bases to outer feathers (hard to see).

Small tinamou of floodplain rainforest. Reddish brown with limited black barring on the wings. Found in tall lowland rainforest, especially around water and in seasonally flooded areas, and can be quite common. Listen for a series of whistles given at a pace of about one note per four seconds that gradually accelerates until about twice as fast; recalls the song of Cinereous Tinamou, but faster and usually accelerating.