White-faced Ibis

A small heron that hugs rocky coastlines. Light-morph individuals are usually white all over, though some may show patches of gray. Dark-morph individuals are entirely dark gray. Both morphs have a yellowish green bill and legs. Light morph adults are distinguished from egrets in the area by their distinct short-legged appearance and noticeably thicker bill.

A big, powerful goshawk. Adults are gray on the back with fine gray barring below; females much larger. Immatures have a brown back and thick streaks below. Endemic to Madagascar, where it is a scarce resident of all types of primary forest. Rarely sits in the open, and only occasionally soars. Territorial call is a loud repeated “khew” which is often given in flight. Males can be very hard to separate from similarly-sized female Madagascar Sparrowhawk. On Henst’s, look for fine bars on the undertail, a completely barred throat, and a central toe of normal length. Immatures may only be separable based on toe length. Also very similar to the rare Madagascar Serpent-Eagle. Subtle differences include slightly smaller size, evenly-spaced barring on the chest, thicker black bands on the tail, and an unbarred back. 

A small, short-tailed woodpecker with a brown back. Note the white facial streaks that frame a dark cheek. Males have a red back of the cap and females a completely dark cap. Found in a variety of open habitats, including savanna, woodland, scrub, and forest edge. Most similar to Cardinal Woodpecker, but separated by the dark cheek and the plain brown back. Vocalizations include a series of several wailing notes and a quiet rattling.