MacGillivray's Warbler

The only leafbird within its range with an orange belly. Male is unmistakable with a blue-and-black face pattern, a solid orange belly, and green-and-blue wings. Female is green all over with blue cheeks and less extensive orange on the belly. The female can be confused with female Blue-winged Leafbird, but Orange-bellied has an orange belly and more blue on the face than Blue-winged Leafbird. Often moves about quietly in the upper layers of hilly and montane forests, gleaning insects from branches and foraging at fruiting and flowering trees. Frequently incorporates the songs and calls of other species into its vocalizations.

This medium-large plover is often locally abundant, noisy, and easy to identify. Its plumage is a striking combination of black, white, and brown. It is very vocal, producing a piercing and repeated “sik-sik-sik…” call. It is found around wetlands, but also away from water in cultivated areas and even suburbia and urban settings. It forages mainly for arthropods, but also small reptiles and amphibians. Lays its eggs on the ground, and is often very aggressive against invaders to its territory, be it a crow or a falcon. Also active at night.

Overall the Cape Griffon is creamy-white, much paler and larger than the White-backed Vulture. At close range, the adult’s eyes are honey-colored, and there is a speckled stripe along the middle of the wing. They nest in small to large colonies in hills and mountains but will fly hundreds of kilometers to forage. The similar White-backed Vulture is smaller and darker with a wing that is more contrasting between flight feathers and the remainder of the underwing; at close range its dark eyes are visible.