Manus Brush Cuckoo

Common raptor in open spaces in the high Andes and southern South America. Large, relatively broad-winged, and short-tailed raptor. As the name suggests, plumage is quite variable. Adults range from clean white to dark gray and rufous below with a gray or rufous back. Always look for the white tail with a black band near the tip. Juveniles are more confusing, usually dark brown above and buffy below with a variable amount of dark streaking below. Juveniles can also be all dark brown (but this morph is rare). Compare with Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, which is larger and broader-winged, with young birds usually darker than most Variable Hawks. Occurs from sea level up to over 4,500 m in the Andes, typically in open agricultural land, desert, or paramo, but also ranging over wooded areas.

Very small tanager, widespread and common in lowlands and foothills of northern South America. Male is indigo-blue with narrow black mask, black throat, and black wings. Note long decurved bill and yellow legs to separate from other honeycreepers in most of range. Female much different: she is mostly green with pale streaking on underparts, a grizzled buffy-brown face, and a blue mustache stripe. Extremely similar to Shining Honeycreeper, but very little range overlap. Male Shining has larger black throat patch and slightly shorter bill; female has duller, grayer crown and less buffy face. Usually in small groups, often accompanying a mixed-species flock in the canopy. Found in forests, edges, and gardens.

Large white ibis with fluffy black feathers across the rump and a black head. A good view reveals a pale eye in adults. Immatures can have a dark eye and white on the throat. In flight, the wings are completely white. Rare and local resident of western Madagascar and Aldabra, in the Seychelles. Found on coastal mudflats and sandy shores, in mangroves, and on the banks of brackish rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rarely uses freshwater habitats. Very similar to African Sacred Ibis, but separated at all ages by the lack of black wingtips in flight. Adults further separated by their pale eye.