Natal Spurfowl

Locally fairly common summer breeder in temperate rainforests of southern Chile and adjacent Argentina; migrates north in March–April to winter in Andes from Bolivia to Venezuela, returning in September–October. Usually seen in flight over forest and edge, circling high or kiting motionless in the wind; rarely seen perched. Note dark head and clean white throat, diagnostic dark “armpits,” and rather flat-winged gliding with wingtips curled up slightly. Compare with immatures of the larger Variable and Rufous-tailed Hawks.

A small and dainty woodland-dwelling kingfisher with powder-blue tail and flight feathers, creamy collar, dark eye-stripe, and streaky brown crown. Singles and pairs are inconspicuous in the mid-canopy of parkland-like savanna and woodland, preferring more arid thornveld than other dryland kingfishers. It draws attention to itself with a loud, ringing “teeep-tiiii-rrrrrrr” and rollicking “trrreerrr-treeerr-treeer” calls.

Attractive but often rather local tern of southern South America. Favors shallow coastal waters, but also ranges inland locally along rivers and lakes. Often associates with other terns on beaches and at river mouths. All plumages have diagnostic white head with narrow blackish mask and reddish legs. Breeding adult has an orange bill with a black-and-yellow tip. Nonbreeding birds have a black bill with a small yellow tip. Immature birds have a black bill with little or no pale tip.