Madanga

A martin-like swallow with a bicolored plumage pattern of steel-blue upperparts and pale underparts. Pairs or small groups flit low over grassland, scrub, farmland, and open woodland, often near water. It is a migrant to the southern parts of South Africa, but it is resident elsewhere, with some poorly understood movements. The Pearl-breasted Swallow differs from House Martin and Gray-rumped Swallow by having a dark (not pale) rump and pale (not dark) underwings.

Tiny greenish bird restricted to a small range in Tasmania. Primarily greenish-gray. Black wings with obvious white spots. Adults have yellow face, which is absent in juveniles. Take care to distinguish from juvenile Spotted Pardalote (which is more boldly marked on the back and more spotted on the crown). Only found in areas of dry forest in Tasmania. Forages almost exclusively on manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and is typically only present where there are trees old enough to have hollows for nesting.

A large, slender pipit with considerable variation across its range. African and South Asian birds average browner, warmer-colored, and more heavily streaked on the breast than the grayer-toned Middle Eastern subspecies. All subspecies possess a pale eyebrow, a long tail, and a relatively long bill. As with many other pipits, can be frustratingly difficult to identify in the field; habitat and voice are important clues. Prefers dry, open areas with clumps of vegetation and scattered rocks and boulders, typically on slopes. Calls include squeaky sparrow-like chirps and sweet two-noted whistles. Song doesn’t quite sound like a song: a sequence of plaintive whistles, two-noted chirps, and other call-like vocalizations strung together with pauses in between.