Beach Thick-knee

A small bird of lowland wooded areas with a fairly long, slightly curved, stout bill and yellow underparts. Male has a pale gray throat, a dark reddish cheek and wing patch, a purplish-blue forehead and shoulder, and bottle green on the sides of the throat, the back of the neck, and the crown. Female is fairly drab, with a grayish-brown head and an olive-green back and rump. Male unmistakable. Female similar to several other species, but larger, with a broader bill. Voice not well known, but probably gives a loud “whip!” similar to Brown-throated Sunbird.

Typical scops-owl, with small ear tufts that can be hidden, especially when roosting during the day. Color varies from gray to brown to rufous, with rufous birds more prevalent in the eastern rainforest. Inhabits both moist and dry habitats throughout Madagascar, including rainforest, dry deciduous forest, spiny forest, scrub, and plantations. Often found on day roosts in low tangles. Song varies geographically. In the east, it is a punctuated “tru-tru-tru…”. In the west it is a more rolling “trrr-trrr-trrr…”. Intermediate vocalizations can be heard in transitional zones, such as far northern Madagascar. Much smaller than all of Madagascar’s other owls.

Large gray honeyeater with pale gray cap, bare black facial skin, and a small but prominent "horn" on the long, pointed, black bill. This species has gray-brown upperparts and dull white underparts; the feathers on the back of the head are paler than those on the back. Take care to distinguish from Helmeted Friarbird (which is browner overall with a rounded upper rear edge to the facial skin). Found in a variety of drier woodland habitats across the Kimberley and the Top End of the Northern Territory. Also found on Cape York in Queensland but not expected in the Cairns/Atherton area. Typically very loud, with a variety of harsh, loud squawks.