Common Ostrich

Small, short-legged coastal goose; distinctive black head and neck with small white necklace. Some variation in belly and flank coloration across subspecies. "Black Brant," mainly of western North America and eastern Asia, is darkest, with contrasting white flanks. Breeds on tundra in the high Arctic; winters in saltmarshes, rocky coastlines, sheltered bays, and beaches. Typically uncommon to rare inland. Almost always seen in flocks, only rarely mixing with other geese species.

Tiny, skulking rail-like bird that is unlikely to be seen unless you’re expressly looking for it. The male is boldly red and black with white stripes, while the female is brownish and much plainer. Found on the ground in forest, scrub, heath, and wetlands in eastern, central, and northern Madagascar. Extremely shy and elusive, and most often detected by voice: a loud and explosive couple of “ki-dit” calls followed by a very long series of shorter “kit” notes. Much shorter-billed than the very rare Slender-billed Flufftail. All other rails are larger and have different coloration.

Medium-sized sunbird in which males have an iridescent green head and breast, and females a green helmet. Depending on the light, these green areas can sometimes look blue. The pale yellow shoulder tufts are usually hidden. Found at low and middle elevations in lush woodland, gardens, and forest. Often in pairs, and sometimes in mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations include mewing and scolding calls, and a song that starts with hesitant notes but then breaks into a long trill. Male similar to male Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, but paler overall, with a larger area of iridescent green rather than blue on the head.