Jameson's Antpecker

A perky, upright wren restricted to alpine regions in the South Island of New Zealand. Has a very short tail and rounded wings, but distinctive long legs and toes. Male is a mossy green above and pale gray below, with noticeable yellow flanks and a creamy eyebrow. Female has duller plumage. Stance is often erect; constantly bobs up and down, flicking its wings, before hopping and running. Flies very short distances. Seen out in the open in rocky boulder fields, hence its common New Zealand name of “rock wren.” Gives a high-pitched three-note call which travels well in the open alpine terrain. Pairs will sometimes duet.

One of the iconic birds of the Andes. Fairly large, significantly larger and chunkier than a thrush. Found in cloud forest at middle elevations, most often at a dawn display site where males make piglike squeals and jump and dance for females. Sometimes seen elsewhere in the forest, especially at fruiting trees. Males can be either brilliant crimson or orange, always with black wings and broad silver tertials, orange legs, and puffy rounded crest. Female duller brown with smaller crest; note staring pale eye. Nests on large rocks or cliff faces. Only similar species is Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, but no range overlap.

A massive vulture with a bullish, naked, square head, a bulky bluish-yellow beak, and wrinkled loose skin (lappets) on the face. Adults have a brown-and-white streaked chest and puffy white leggings, while immatures are all-brown. In flight, the very broad wings, white leggings, and small white lines at the front of the wing are diagnostic. Rare and declining but widespread in open country; found in drier areas than other vultures. Aggressive at kills, dominating proceedings and opening the carcass for other scavengers.