Purple-backed Sunbeam

Large cormorant found nearly worldwide. Note large size, white patch on throat, and lack of crest. Breeding adults show circular white patch on flanks. Immatures typically have contrasting white belly; African "White-breasted" also has extensive white underparts in all plumages. Often spotted standing on rocks or pilings. Dives frequently, feeding on fish. Found in many types of water bodies, ranging from rivers to reservoirs to marine environments; in North America, restricted to coastal North Atlantic.

Rarely encountered owl found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Small with a round head, yellow eyes, white-speckled crown, and white bands on wings and tail. Overall plumage coloration ranges from brown to bright cinnamon. Similar to Andean Pygmy-Owl, but smaller, with a shorter tail that typically shows at most two white bands. Identification should be confirmed by voice; song is a series of three toots repeated every few seconds.

Very small owl endemic to thorn forest and tropical dry forest of west Mexico. Active during the day. Favors forest canopy where it is rarely seen, but sometimes hunts low at forest edges. Most often detected by its tooting call, given at any time of day but mainly early and late. Like other pygmy-owls, presence often revealed by mobbing bands of small songbirds. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl favors more open habitats, is seen much more frequently, and has pale streaks (not spots) on the crown and a slightly different tooting song.