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
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
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
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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