New Guinea Flightless Rail

Small, attractively patterned thrush of tropical and subtropical evergreen forest in foothills and highlands. Usually elusive and heard far more often than seen. Feeds mainly on the ground, but also in fruiting bushes and trees. Sings from low to middle level perches. Plumage distinctive: black head, contrasting orange eyering, bill, and legs, and yellow underparts with dusky spotting. Song distinctive: short, slightly squeaky, fluty phrases, repeated. Limited range; occurs from Chiapas to Honduras. Similar to Speckled Nightingale-Thrush but no range overlap.

Breeding males are distinctive with dark reddish-brown cap and sides, along with buffy nape. Two bold white wingbars. Females and fall birds are duller; most show at least some chestnut coloring on sides. Dullest birds are similar to Blackpoll and Pine Warblers; look for streaks on back, well-defined wingbars, and cleaner greenish-yellow head and neck. Prefers conifers during migration, but can be found in any woodland. Breeds in the boreal forest. In most of U.S. , only seen during migration. Winters in Central and South America. Listen carefully for extremely high-pitched, squeaky-wheel song, similar to a fast Black-and-white Warbler.

Huge spectacular black-and-red cotinga with a strong, heavy bill. Glossy-black above with a bright red throat and breast, the extent of which varies between subspecies (some have a chestnut belly). Females are smaller with a darker bill. Found in the subcanopy of humid and montane forests.