Variable Sunbird

Drab hummingbird with a white tipped tail found in northern South America, ranging west as far as eastern Colombia. Like other hermits, it has a dark mask bordered by buffy stripes and a long bill. The blurry dark streaks on its throat and breast help to separate it from other similar species. These streaks are variable, and on adult males they nearly form a solid dark patch, but females and young birds may only show a few small blotches. Found in a variety of habitats including seasonally flooded rainforest along the Amazon and drier and scrubbier forest in hilly terrain. Uncommon to rare in most of its range.

A large stork with a completely bare head and neck ideal for its scavenging habits. The adult’s face is red and the neck is yellow while the juvenile has a brownish head and a white, thinly-feathered neck. The upperparts are all dark while the underparts are mostly white. In flight, note the broad wings with distinctive white “armpits” and tucked in neck. Similar to the larger Greater Adjutant; Lesser has a more slender bill, has all-dark upperwings, and often adopts a more upright, less “hunched” posture. Often found in shallow marshes, fields, and swamps.

Warm brown above and pale below; strong dark eyestripe contrasts with white eyebrow. Smallish reed warbler with long and strongly rounded tail, short bill with dark tip, and short primary projection. Difficult to separate visually from other small Acrocephalus warblers, especially Blunt-winged Warbler; note Paddyfield’s more prominent pale eyebrow which strengthens behind the eye, as well as longer-winged appearance. Also compare with Iduna warblers. Breeds in extensive reed beds; in nonbreeding season found in marshes, but also more scrubby areas. Distinctive, melodious song.