Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird

Anthreptes orientalis

A fairly small sunbird with an unusually short, warbler-like bill. The male has an iridescent violet head and back, while the female has brownish upperparts, white underparts, and a white eyebrow. Found in dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub, often in pairs. Very similar to Western Violet-backed Sunbird, but in the area of overlap, Eastern is separated by the male’s turquoise rather than violet rump, and by the female’s pure white rather than yellow-tinged belly. Also similar to Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, but found in different habitats, and separated by the white rather than gray underparts of the male and the white eyebrow of the female. Vocalizations include a scolding mew and a high-pitched jumbled song. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Anthreptes orientalis
Authority
Hartlaub, 1880
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Nectariniidae
Genus
Anthreptes

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Ruddy-headed Goose

Ruddy-headed Goose

Chloephaga rubidiceps

A rare and endangered goose on the South American mainland, but fairly common in the Falkland Islands. This subtly attractive austral goose is easily passed off as a female of the slightly larger Upland Goose. Relative to female Upland, Ruddy-headed (in which sexes look alike) has a shorter ruddy neck (which can be fairly dull and pale, especially in the Falklands) with narrow white eye crescents and a pale forehead; body is cleaner and paler gray with dark rusty belly and vent; legs are deeper orange. In flight, bold wing pattern is like female Upland. Found in pairs or small groups, readily associating with Upland Geese.

Coppersmith Barbet

Coppersmith Barbet

Psilopogon haemacephalus

A small, widespread, and cute little barbet with streaked underparts and a well-patterned face. Most populations have a red forehead, yellow around the eye and throat, and a black eyestripe all bordered at the rear of the crown by a black band. Also note red “badge” on upper chest. Female averages duller than the male, with some yellow on a narrower red “badge”. Immature lacks all red and has faint streaking on the throat. Subspecies in Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara, and the central Philippines have bright red-and-black faces. While common, can be hard to see; listen instead for its call, a prolonged and unmistakable “kuk-kuk-kuk.” Favors open woodlands, forest edge, and gardens in lowland and foothill areas; ranges up into higher elevations in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Rüppell's Griffon

Rüppell's Griffon

Gyps rueppelli

Huge vulture, slightly smaller than Eurasian Griffon. Adults have dark-bodied with pale feather tips on body and shoulders, giving them a scaled appearance; also note pale bill and eye. Juveniles are dark with a characteristic pale bar on the leading edge of the underwings and have a black bill and dark eyes. Nests on cliffs and is generally silent except when squabbling at carcasses. Often encountered foraging over grasslands and soaring along cliffs and ridgelines.

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