Moluccan Starling

Small hummingbird found in dry, scrubby regions of the Andes; also in coastal deserts in Peru. Male has a glittering blue throat bordered below by purple. Female lacks this and has a rusty wash on white underparts; the extent of this rusty color varies between individuals. Also note slightly curved bill. Male performs swooping U-shaped display flights, alternately giving high-pitched twitters and low-pitched mechanical sounds while doing so. Not known to visit feeders.

A chunky, short-tailed, long-billed weaver of dry country. Breeding males are mostly yellow with a black face mask, a pale eye, and a heavily streaked back. Females, non-breeding males, and juveniles are much duller, brownish-olive overall with a pale eye. Found locally in open savanna, often in small flocks. Superficially similar to the pale-eyed Lesser Masked-Weaver, but much chunkier and larger-billed, with a streakier back. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chek” notes and a squealing, sizzling “radio static” song. 

A giant, round-headed, ginger-rufous owl covered by dusky bars, spots, and chevrons. Quite shy; day-roosts are well-hidden in huge trees along permanent rivers and forested swamps with sluggish backwaters. The call is a deep, low, horn-like “Ooom”; also produces a series of grunts. Young birds sometimes emit an eerie screeching: “wheeeuuu”. Similar Rufous Fishing-Owl is smaller and brighter; it lacks bars and chevrons on the underparts. Vermiculated Fishing-Owl has a heavily-streaked upper breast and a pale-yellow (not black) beak.