Noronha Vireo

Medium-sized, beautifully-patterned francolin. Shows rufous patches in the wings in flight. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, including pure grassland and open savanna. Shy and retiring. Loud call is a quickly repeated “chuk-a-cheiw”. Similar to several other francolin species, which also show rufous in the wing. Lacks the belly barring of Shelley’s Francolin, has a black necklace unlike Red-winged Francolin, and found at lower elevations than the mountain-dwelling Moorland Francolin.

Truly a royal and commanding presence, this largest of the penguins is seldom seen away from Antarctica and its surrounding seas, though young birds do disperse beyond the pack ice. Immense size and unique coloration readily distinguish this species from most other penguins; King Penguin is similar in patterning, but is smaller, longer-billed, less bulky overall, and has brighter and more extensive orange markings on the head. Breeds in immense colonies on the ice, with males famously spending months tending to the egg. Gives impressive trumpeting cries, especially during courtship.

A handsome and slightly primal-looking babbler of wooded areas, thick fields, and bamboo tangles, wherever there is extensive cover. Angular chestnut crescent behind the ear, combined with the smattering of silver spots behind it, a white throat, and dark eyes, is unique. Forages on the ground and in the understory, usually in pairs or small flocks; does not usually form large flocks as do many other scimitar-babblers. Listen for its echoing hoots, often given in duets.