Velvet Scoter

A fairly large bird of mid-montane forest. Male, mainly black plumage with 2 remarkable erectile fans which are lifted up over the head during its display. Metallic, blue-green, trapezium-shaped breast shield and patches above the eyes. Female has a dark brown back, barred underparts and a black head. Adult male is unmistakeable, but female is distinguished from Western Parotia female by its smaller size and Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise female by its larger size and black bill. The male’s yellow-green mouth interior is visible while it gives its piercing nasal screech.

A beautiful minivet inhabiting open, dry scrub and savanna with scattered acacia (Prosopis) growth. The male has a glossy black upper body, face, and neck. The breast region has a round orange patch, with the rest of the underparts white. The tail is black, with an orange rump and white markings on the wings. The plumage of the male of this bird is reminiscent of breeding male stonechats. The female is duller in appearance, with dark gray upperparts, black wings, a black tail, and dark black lores. The wings have white markings similar to the males’, and the rump is orange. The species usually moves in small groups, feeding mainly on insects.

Fairly small flowerpiercer found in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru. Entirely black with typical flowerpiercer bill: uniquely upswept with a hooked tip. In most of range, lacks gray shoulder patch, which helps separate from Glossy Flowerpiercer. However, population in eastern Andes of Colombia do show a gray shoulder patch, but it is smaller and duller than Glossy’s. Black is typically associated with dry scrubby habitats at high elevations, from 2,500-4,500m. Singles or pairs forage at low to middle levels.