Parodi's Hemispingus

A medium-sized pale gray pigeon with a mauve cap, a yellow eye, and an iridescent bronze-green collar. In flight it shows a blue-gray rump, dark wing edges, and a dark banded tail. Pairs and small flocks are uncommon and local residents and nomads, restricted to cliffs and hills near the northern Somali coastline, preferring dry areas devoid of vegetation. Within Somali Pigeon’s range, the much darker and more heavily spotted Speckled Pigeon is expanding; smaller collared-doves all have a dark band on the hind-neck. Somali Pigeon’s vocalizations are poorly known but described as “wuk-wuk-wuk-ooooh” and other pigeon-like sounds. 

Huge albatross of the Southern Ocean. Two subspecies: “Gibson’s” breeds primarily on Auckland Island and ranges at sea around New Zealand and eastern Australia; “Antipodean” breeds mostly on Antipodes and Campbell Islands and ranges mainly across Pacific to Humboldt Current off Chile. Plumage highly variable, starting chocolate-brown with a white face and gradually becoming whiter over many years. Younger birds separated from Southern Royal Albatross by darker tail, brown markings on head and back, and lack of black “lips” on cutting edge of bill. Older birds more difficult to separate; focus on more coarsely marked upperwings, often with conspicuous white patch in center of wing, and lack of black “lips”. Often shows orange stain on cheek, never shown by Southern Royal. Identification from other Wandering-type Albatross is extremely difficult and often presumed by range. Older “Antipodean” often retain complete dark cap, tail, and upperwings.

Spectacular male shows diagnostic maroon sides to head and collar, iridescent metallic blue-green forehead and crown, blue shoulder, moss-green back, and yellow rump. Underside is uniform bright yellow in both sexes, although female is entirely olive above. Juvenile resembles female but with pale legs. Singles and pairs inhabit forest, shrubbery, and plantations in lowlands and lower hills, often joining mixed-species flocks. Female can be separated from female Black and Brown-throated Sunbirds by bright yellow underparts and lack of yellow eyebrow. Gives high-pitched “tzeeet” calls. Song is an undulating trill.