Worstbird

A rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of native forests above 5,000 feet elevation on Hawaii Island. Appears bigger-headed and shorter-tailed than other honeycreepers. The long, thin upper bill can be hard to see. The stout lower bill is used to hammer like a woodpecker, making an audible tapping sound. Forages for insects on large branches. Male song is a loud, complex warble. Its “Chu-wee” and “Teedle-oo” calls are lower-pitched and louder than those of other honeycreepers.

Very small nightjar with an indistinct buffy throat. Ground color is variable between subspecies, with some paler and others darker. In flight, note the white wing stripes in both sexes. Males have two white patches on tail. Found in wooded rocky caatinga (dry scrubby forest), where it roosts on rock outcrops and boulders. The song is a short “wheeo.”

Dark brown to matte black; males with iridescent bluish wings. Thick neck and heavy bill. Look for vampire-like staring red eye. Males have an incredible display where they puff out a mane of neck feathers and hover in a circle above the female. Found in a variety of open or semi-open areas, including pastures, forest edge, yards, and agricultural areas. Visits feeders. Often in flocks, sometimes with other blackbirds.

Sleek songbird, a bit smaller than robin and much slimmer. Overall plain medium-gray with short bill, rather long tail, white eyering, and buff patches in wings. Note upright posture and white eyering. Found at higher elevations in the breeding season. Drops into lowlands in the winter. Loves juniper. Song is complex; call is a single, ringing, bell-like note.

Very plain, long-tailed cisticola. Even in a group that is known for its drabness, this bird stands out for its lack of bold colors and markings! Found in thick vegetation, usually adjacent a body of water. Song is a complicated duet of which the main elements are a descending series of whistles and a variety of rough, scolding “zhrt” notes. As with all cisticolas, habitat and voice are important cues in identification. Similar to Singing Cisticola, but drabber, lacking rufous on the crown and wing.