Small-billed Elaenia

A small charcoal-colored songbird endemic to New Zealand. Confined to the South and Stewart Islands. Favors native and exotic forest stands. Males have a more distinct separation between dark gray and cream on their chest than females. Juveniles mirror the look of a female but with less to no cream underneath. Can be incredibly confiding and curious about humans. It is possible to bring individuals out into the open by disturbing leaf litter and then sitting quietly. Actively flushes out prey with foot trembling and by flicking its wings and tail. Male song is a loud and simple phrase of notes including “pwee-pwee-pwee.”

A tall, dome-headed, plover-like bird with large, yellow eyes. Mostly brownish in color, it has a grayish wing panel that is bordered above with a narrow white bar. This thick-knee never wanders far from permanent water. It is crepuscular and nocturnal; early evenings are often punctuated by its distinctive, high-pitched, piping calls that speed up then slow down. The similar Senegal Thick-knee differs by having a gray wing panel bordered above with a black bar only. Spotted Thick-knee lacks the wing panel and has spots rather than streaks on the back.

Large blackbird with a long, thin bill found in marshes and wetlands. Mostly dark brown with a yellow belly, rump, and shoulders. Sexes similar, but juveniles are browner overall. Can be seen in large groups of up to 50 individuals sometimes with other blackbirds. The call is nasal and buzzy.