Golden Palm Weaver

Handsomely patterned sparrow from highlands of Chiapas south to temperate South America. Occurs in open and semiopen habitats such as villages, towns, and farmland with hedges and brushy thickets. Feeds on the ground and in bushes, at times in flocks. Note the peaked crown, bold black-and-gray head pattern (though black much reduced in southern populations), bright rusty collar, and black chest patch. Juvenile has ghosting of adult pattern and breast is streaked dusky.

A large, fairly long-tailed bird of montane forest on the Bird’s Head of New Guinea. All black plumage with iridescence on the head, fairly long bill, distinctive, yellow wattle between the eye and the bill. Note the blue line and a small purple dot below the base of the mouth. Feeds on fruit but also probes mossy branches for insects. Other similar sized black birds co-occur, but none have the yellow face wattle. Voice, a long, mournful, monotone whistle.

Small and compact nightjar of vegetated semi-desert habitats. Overall rather pale sandy-brown, but note the distinctive rusty hind-collar and buff tips on scapulars and coverts when sitting on the ground. In flight flashes big white patches on wings and tail corners and wings appear relatively short and rounded. Also note the rich rusty underwing. Breeds under bushes, forages in open habitats, and often sits on tracks in the road. Vocalizations sound similar to a distant double-bark, "Kau-kau, kau-kau…"