Red-bearded Bee-eater
Nyctyornis amictus
Unmistakable leaf-green bee-eater of lowland and foothill forests. Namesake “beard” actually goes from the crown all the way down to the belly. Sallies out from a perch at middle and upper levels of forest to snag flying insects. Despite its bright coloration, can often be surprisingly difficult to find; listen for its unique song, a series of descending frog-like croaks.
Identification
Like other bee-eaters, they are colourful birds with long tails, long decurved beaks and pointed wings. They are large bee-eaters, predominantly green, with a red colouration to face that extends on to the slightly hanging throat feathers to form the “beard”. Their eyes are orange.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nyctyornis amictus
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1824)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Meropidae
- Genus
- Nyctyornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other bee-eaters, they nest in burrows tunnelled into the side of sandy banks, but do not form colonies.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-chinned Siskin
Spinus barbatus
Fairly common in lowlands and foothills (rarely at higher elevations), where it is found in town parks, gardens, matorral, woodland, and open and semiopen areas with bushes. Spirited bubbling and warbling song can be prolonged and draw attention, but often given from concealed perch in the tree canopy. Like other siskins, often in flocks, especially in nonbreeding season. Male is yellow overall with messy blackish cap and chin patch. Female is a rather drab grayish or yellowish overall, but note distinctive yellow wing patches. Compare with Grassland Yellow-Finch, which often occurs in same areas.
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
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.
Restless Flycatcher
Myiagra inquieta
A sturdy songbird with fairly long tail and substantial bill. Glossy black above, bright white below. Female may show buffy patch on upper breast. Similar to Paperbark Flycatcher; best identified by range. Inhabits open woodland and wetland areas, usually forages near the ground. Compare Willie Wagtail. Calls loudly with a clear whistled "tui-tui-tui” and an incomparable buzzing scissors-grinder sound.
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