Scarlet-horned Manakin

Medium-sized honeyeater recorded at higher elevations in the ranges behind Mackay in central Queensland. Gray overall; underparts slightly paler, with fine streaks on chest difficult to see. Dark cheeks split by a thin white gape mark that wraps back under and behind the bluish eye; also has a faint, narrow neck plume. Call is a series of sharp, frantic-sounding whistles.

A small, gemlike species of woodlands including coffee plantations and mangroves. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a profile shared only by the Narrow-billed Tody within its range. Both species have bright green upperparts and red on the throat and sides. Note especially the dark eyes of Broad-billed Tody, as compared to the pale eyes of Narrow-billed. Many Broad-billed Todys also have a buff-yellow wash below, which the Narrow-billed lacks. On birds lacking buff below, the Broad-billed can be identified by its all red lower bill, which is black tipped in the Narrow-billed. Further clues to identification include altitude, with this species occurring mostly below 700 meters elevation and the Narrow-billed occurring above 700 meters. The Broad-billed also tends to forage higher and on more open perches. Its most common vocalization is a rough, quick “weep” or “whip” given in series at about two per second. Compare to call of Narrow-billed Tody, which utters a buzzy “chik-zhwik” and a rapid buzzy chatter.

Elegant, cryptic, long-legged, upland shorebird. Shows a dark upperwing and a largely white underwing in flight. Found in savanna and woodland, including some miombo. Nocturnal species that spends the day roosting under a thick bush. Calls at night with a repeated metallic “chik.” Somewhat similar to Double-banded Courser but is nocturnal and has a more complex and striped head and chest pattern.