Rüppell's Weaver

This large honeyguide is a mostly brownish bird with white outer tail feathers and an upright posture. It is one of the most distinctive members of its family and has frosted white edgings to the shoulder feathers. Sexes differ: the male has a pink bill, black throat, and large white “ear muffs’; the female has a dark bill and pale throat. The immature has a yellow throat and breast. Singles and pairs are inconspicuous in woodland, open cultivated areas, and gardens; they often raid bees’ nests to eat wax, eggs, and larvae. Most often seen in undulating flight; may also be tracked down by following its unique vocalization, a series of strident two-noted segments: “VIC-tor, VIC-tor, VIC-tor”.

Fairly large, long-tailed bright green parakeet of the island of Mauritius. Males have a red bill, a black chin, and a pink-and-black collar. Females are duller, with a black bill. Endangered; found locally in and around remnant patches of humid forest. The call is a honking, nasal “kraa” that is usually repeated in quick sequence, lower-pitched than the typical high-pitched shrieks of Rose-ringed Parakeet. Very similar in appearance to that species, but separated by vocalizations, richer green overall plumage, and shorter and broader wings; females are easily separated by their black rather than red bills.   

A relatively large, rust-colored crake with a pale bill and barred black-and-white underparts. Very shy and skulking in dense woodland, where it forages on the wet forest floor. Known to be most active at dawn and dusk. Its loud and screechy “chraaw-chraaw-chraaw-...” often gives away its presence in the vicinity.