Giant Hummingbird

A small bird of forest understory from the lowlands to mid-mountains. Olive back, gray chest, pale belly washed yellowish, narrow eye-ring and a medium-length, thin, curved bill. Searches actively for insects, sometimes in mixed species flocks, and also seen at flowering trees. Similar to female Black Sunbird but belly not as yellow, from Pygmy Longbill by larger size and eye-ring, and from Yellow-bellied and Slaty-chinned Longbills by its gray chest and shorter bill. Voice, a distinctive churring trill.

Strikingly patterned male is unmistakable with his jet-black face and breast, white cheek patch, dark rust-brown collar, and bright white spots. Brownish female has a small orange nape patch, pale throat, and dense black-and-white markings all over the body; compare with larger Gray Francolin. Occurs in dry grasslands, agricultural land, and weedy fields. Shier than other francolins; more often heard than seen. Usually solitary or in pairs. Male call is a peculiar, metallic-sounding “keek, keek, kek-ke-kek.” Native to Asia, from Turkey east to far eastern India and northern Myanmar; introduced to Hawaii.

A pale-headed raptor of inland marshes and lakes. Tends to be uncommon and thinly distributed throughout its range. Adult is dark brown above with a paler belly and dirty-gray head. When in flight from below, a broad white band on the dark tail is the most eye-catching feature. Juveniles have an all-dark tail, but have two bright white panels on the undersides of the wingtips; this patterning can be similar to that of some kites, but the fish-eagle is much larger, with a longer-winged and comparatively shorter-tailed profile.