Blue-banded Pitta

Distinctive cockatoo found in a wide variety of habitats across inland Australia, typically favoring dry woodlands, where it feeds on seeds. Relatively small, with pink underparts and white upperparts. Magnificent, long white crest has colorful band of red at base, in subspecies leadbeateri inset with another band of yellow. In flight, pink underwings evident. Often observed feeding on the ground beside roads. Call a wavering, high-pitched note.

A large canary with different-looking males and females. The male has bright yellow underparts, yellow-green upperparts, and a well-marked face pattern. The female is drab gray-brown with streaky underparts, yellowish edges of the wing feathers, and a yellow rump. Pairs and small groups occupy dry rangelands including coastal scrub, Karoo, and arid thornveld, where they are resident and nomadic, moving when food becomes scarce. The larger Brimstone Canary has a chunkier bill than Yellow Canary and prefers moist coastal thickets and woodland.

Rather large hummingbird of arid to semiarid forest and forest edge, thorn forest, and semiopen areas with scattered trees. Favors drier habitats, especially forest edges along streams, where feeds mainly in the canopy. As well as feeding at flowers, spends much of its time flycatching for insects, which it hunts from high perches. Note the very long straight bill, striped face with a dark throat, and white patch above the rump. Sexes look similar, but immature lacks adult’s red color in throat (which is very difficult to see; throat usually appears blackish). Lacks the turquoise cap of Long-billed Starthroat and has dusky (not greenish) sides.