Rusty Sparrow

A chunky, short-tailed, colorful savanna starling. Note the white chest band, white undertail, and white patch on the underwing, conspicuous in flight. Immatures have a dark eye and lack a breast band, but are usually associated with adults. Found in a variety of dry or moderately moist habitats including savanna, woodland, thorn scrub, and villages, usually in small flocks, sometimes with other species of starlings. Similar to Hildebrandt’s and Shelley’s Starlings, but easily separated by the white breast band. The calls include a variety of scolds and squeals. 

Dark, short-billed hummingbird found at very high elevations in the Andes. Plumage is olive-green; adult male has a colorful “beard” that is reduced or lacking in females and immatures. It inhabits open grassland and areas with scattered shrubs above treeline. Unlike almost all other hummingbirds, it regularly lands on the ground to feed on tiny flowers protruding from the grass.

Only black-and-white woodpecker in most of its range. Note the big white shoulder patches and white bars on the black back. Very similar to Syrian Woodpecker, but the Sind Woodpecker is smaller, with a thinner moustache, more white on the back, and a slightly smaller bill. Inhabits dry, open scrub and woodlands. Calls include a squeaky trill and a single-noted “kwik.”