Moluccan Goshawk

Poorly known and rarely seen medium-sized swift. Very local in west Mexico and very rarely identified in the field. Like many swifts, nests behind waterfalls. Rather stocky and large-headed, with a squared tail tip. About the same size as much commoner Chestnut-collared Swift, with which White-fronted can associate. Plumage looks wholly black unless seen close in good light, when white forehead can show up. Beware, slightly larger Black Swift has similar white forehead.

Large, bulky rosefinch. Male is pinkish-red below with a streaked brown back. Female is streaky dust-brown all over. Both sexes are very similar to Great Rosefinch; look out for dark streaking on the back in both, as well as smaller white, more solid-looking white spots on the underparts of the male. Breeds in dry open expanses with sparse scrubby vegetation at around 3700-5200 meters. Winters in similar habitat, sometimes descending to lower elevations. Song consists of somewhat hoarse whistled notes. Gives a sparrow-like “chweep” and a shorter “chep.”

This huge, macabre-looking stork has a massive dagger-like bill and naked pink head and neck that appear severely sunburned. A white ruff and loose inflatable skin on the neck add to its odd appearance. It soars effortlessly at great heights searching for food; note its white belly in flight. Marabous are equally content in wetlands or in dry bush; they are most frequently encountered lurking near carrion, as they attend kills of major predators and will opportunistically snatch scraps. They also readily scavenge around humans and waste dumps.