Atuen Antpitta

Handsome partridge of the southwest Arabian mountains. Mostly pale gray and tan, with chestnut-and-white slashes along the sides, and a black face mask. In flight, shows dark wingtips and chestnut sides to the tail. Found in dry, rocky habitat at middle and high elevations, with a preference for bush areas. The common vocalization, given mainly early and late in the day, is an emphatic series of “chuk-chek-chuk” calls. Also gives clucking calls, especially when flushed. Similar to Arabian Partridge, but distinguished by the black face mask, and when in flight, by the chestnut in the tail.

Common tanager, found in a variety of forest habitats. Usually seen from below, in which case it is best identified by uniform dark underparts with rufous lower belly and undertail coverts, and active behavior. The shining white rump can be seen from most angles on perched birds, even when high overhead. Found in tall rainforest, shorter-stature forests on sandy soils, and in disturbed areas. Groups move rapidly through treetops, usually with other species of small tanagers, feeding on fruit. Calls are indistinct chips, often given in rapid series in flight.

An elongated black bird with a coppery-purple metallic sheen and a long, decurved red-orange bill. The juvenile has a dark bill, but is often in the company of adults. The species flies heavily with the white-tipped tail dangling. Pairs and groups of 3-12 are highly social, occupying arid savanna, woodland, and riverine forest along the Namib escarpment, where they nest and roost in natural cavities. They clamber in trees, probing bark and crevices for insects and small vertebrates, and communicate using a strong cackling chatter that is almost maniacal. The almost identical Green Woodhoopoe (with which this species sometimes hybridizes) only differs from Violet Woodhoopoe by having a glossy-greenish (not coppery-purple) metallic sheen.