Pohnpei Kingfisher

Tiny, compact, dark bittern. Slate-gray on the upperparts and pale on the underparts, which have thick dark streaks. Found in heavily vegetated wetland habitats, including ponds, swamps, and sometimes mangroves. Uncommon, shy, and secretive. Call is a short series of low “hraw” notes. Somewhat similar to Striated Heron, but smaller, shorter- and thicker-necked, and darker on the back.

Famously loud and distinctive-looking, this large cotinga is one of the iconic species of northern South America. Male is unmistakable with mostly white body, black wings, brown head, and throat full of dangling black wattles that look like the bird threw up a plateful of worms onto itself. Female is much plainer, greenish with faint yellow streaks on the underparts. Female is extremely similar to female White Bellbird; where range overlaps with White Bellbird, Bearded typically occurs at higher elevations. Most often found by the extremely loud and far-carrying “bonk!” call given by the male.

Elegant lapwing with a white stripe through eye (like a sunglass strap), a red wattle in front of the eye, and a thick and complete black breast-band. Smaller and shorter-legged than Masked Lapwing. Not generally an urban bird, it is more common inland. In more coastal areas it tends to be limited to areas with very short grass (e.g., airports, turf farms).