Malawi Batis

Large, long-billed hummingbird endemic to Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. Spectacular male is easily recognized by his brilliant white tail. Female lacks this, but her tawny underparts and lengthy bill still make her easy to ID. Inhabits humid forest at moderately high elevations and feeds on a wide variety of flowers as well as insects and other arthropods. Sometimes visits feeders within El Dorado Nature Reserve.

A tiny bird of forest and scrub from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains. Darker above and paler below, with a fairly long, thin, slightly curved bill. Races differ in color. Northern birds have brownish bellies, while southern birds are black or dark brown above and whitish or pale gray below. Females are duller. Similar to Bicolored Flowerpecker, but White-bellied has a longer, thinner bill. Also known as Buzzing Flowerpecker, as it gives a high-pitched insect-like buzz.

Brightly-colored male has a bright golden belly, a black chest band and head, and a clean white throat. He appears to have a black “shawl” with golden wings and a black tail. Female is considerably duller, being olive-brownish above and yellow below, with a pale throat and brown breast. Endemic to a handful of islands in the southeastern Solomons, where it is found in most island habitats, though avoids villages. Voice includes a sequence of sparsely spaced, thin, uninspired whistles. Formerly grouped with Vanikoro Whistler and Utupua Whistler under “Temotu Whistler.”