Banded Bay Cuckoo

Medium-sized, long-tailed, plain cisticola. Note the rufous cap and the white tip to the tail. The tail is slightly shorter in non-breeding plumage. Found locally in a variety of savanna habitats, including both acacia savanna and broadleaf woodland. The song is a quick, high-pitched piping. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Similar to Rock-loving Cisticola, but smaller, slimmer, and not associated with rocky habitat. Somewhat like Siffling Cisticola, but has a rufous cap.

Tiny, inconspicuous flycatcher with an oversized bill. Plumage generally olive above and yellow below, with faint breast mottling; most readily identified by its large, long bill with entirely pale mandible. A rare resident of tall rainforest, where it seems to prefer areas with many dense vine tangles. Usually encountered alone, sitting deep inside a vine tangle in the mid-story and making short sallies to foliage for insects. Almost always first detected by voice: a series of two or three short hollow notes, somewhat musical and descending in pitch. Unlikely to be confused if seen well, on account of its large bill. Voice is somewhat similar to that of Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant but is deeper and seldom exceeds three notes; the two species occupy entirely different habitats.

Striking large shearwater with distinctive dark "M" pattern on upperwings. Also note crisp dark cap and clean white underwings and belly. Looks silvery-gray above when fresh, but worn birds can be more brownish. Graceful flight style. Usually easily separated from other shearwaters by wing pattern. Breeds on islands off New Zealand; ranges across the Pacific during nonbreeding season; uncommon off the west coast of the U.S. in fall. Rarely seen from land, prefers to stay offshore. Found singly or in flocks with other shearwaters.