Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle

Medium-sized, rich-brown bird with a weird spiky tail. Scarce and incredibly shy bird that is unlikely to be seen unless you’re expressly searching for it. Madagascar endemic that is found in eastern rainforest at middle and high elevations. Skulks in the understory, with a strong preference for dwarf bamboo. Loud song is a couple of short “swee” notes followed by a long, dry rattle. Far less likely to be seen than the common Madagascar Brush-Warbler. In case of any confusion, look for the Brown Emutail’s warmer brown coloration and wispy tail. 

Tiny, hyperactive songbird usually found in conifer trees. Look for black stripes on the head and bold wing pattern. The namesake golden crown is usually just a small stripe, but can be flared into an expressive fiery-orange crest when agitated. Breeds in coniferous forests, usually staying high in trees. In migration and winter, often joins mixed flocks of other songbirds in a wider variety of wooded habitats. Very active; often hovers and flicks wings as it forages. Listen for extremely high-pitched call notes.

A tall, lanky, black-and-white stork with a unique red, yellow, and black bill. The male has dark-brown eyes, and the female has yellow eyes. In flight, the bird’s massive size, and the dark bands in the center of the white wings are diagnostic. Scarce but conspicuous; mostly resident but can be partially nomadic in parts of the range. Found singly or in pairs at rivers and large undisturbed wetlands, foraging for favorites like catfish, but it will also take frogs, birds, and insects.