Moustached Tinkerbird

Brown-backed, babbler-like vanga of the forest understory. Male has a black hood, and female a white throat. Endemic to Madagascar, in eastern rainforest at low and middle elevations. Shy and elusive bird that walks along the forest floor and through thick tangles. Song is a long, penetrating whistle given from a low perch. Coloration and habits make it distinctive. 

Slim, long-winged, long-tailed falcon that is built for long-distance migration. Adults are all gray, while juveniles have pale, spotted underparts. Breeds on cliffs along the coast or in the desert. During migration and winter, spends most of its time on the wing, and can be seen over any habitat. Quite social, and often seen in loose flocks of dozens or more. Adult is very similar to the dark-morph adult Eleanora’s Falcon, but Sooty is paler gray. Immatures also very similar, but immature Sooty has an unbarred tail without a rufous tip. Much longer wings and tail than Peregrine Falcon. Larger and lankier than other falcons. 

An unmistakable, little-known hulking forest rail with a large yellow bill, an all-rufous head and neck, forest-green upperparts, and a blackish belly. Also note the striking pale blaze behind the eye. An extremely shy terrestrial bird with a very limited range in the Talaud Islands. Inhabits forest understory and marshy areas along forest edge. Calls include deep “ump-ump-ump” series and a hurried, high-pitched “peet-peet-peet.”