Swallow Tanager

Fancy-looking “chicken” endemic to Java and the Lesser Sundas, from Bali east to Alor. Also introduced to the Cocos Islands. Dark, iridescent male is distinctive, with dark-centered orange and yellow feathers on the back and wings. Also note his bright blue-and pink comb and large red wattle. Female is dull brown with dark spotting, and also has a blackish tail and pale pinkish face; compare with female Red Junglefowl, which is warmer-colored overall, with more orangeish tones. Inhabits open forests, forest edges, and scrub from lowlands into foothills. Scratches about on the ground singly, or in small groups. Gives an incredibly hoarse crow: “krewwarewwah!”

A fairly plain, typical-looking dove that is the default dove in much of the Sahel of northern Africa. The head and breast are pinkish-gray, and the neck has a black mark. The gray bars across the wings and white corners to the tail are conspicuous in flight. Found in a wide variety of savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, often in small flocks. Very similar to Ring-necked Dove and best distinguished by call, but also has a pinkish rather than pure gray forehead. African Collared-Dove is also similar, but Vinaceous Dove is darker overall, especially on the underwings. The typical call is a fast series of two higher coo notes followed by one lower coo, often given for long periods.

Adults are large and quite uniform dark brown eagles with very broad wings and short tails. Single white "comma" mark at the wrist of the underwing. Similar to the Lesser Spotted Eagle, which is smaller, paler, and more contrasting. Juveniles are more boldly patterned with numerous prominent dirty white spots on the back and upper wings. More tied to forests than Lesser Spotted Eagle, but still near rivers and bogs. Frequents humanmade habitats more often in winter, such as lakes, rubbish dumps, and reservoirs.