Slaty Vireo

A plump flycatcher with brown upperparts, whitish underparts, and warm brown flanks. Note the pale feet and the large, bicolored bill with a hooked tip. Restricted to the forests of the Nicobar Islands, where it makes sallies for insects from low perches. Song said to be a rapid series of loud, melodic whistles ending with a soft, short “trrr.”

Very large dark brown-and-white owl with underparts heavily marked with dark chevrons and enormous yellow feet. Found around coastal south-eastern Australia. Roosts in large trees along creeks, gullies, in dense woodland and forest. Call is a loud double-hoot with second note slightly higher than the first.

Attractive bulky “finch” that is actually a tanager; found in scrubby habitats in the Andes and Patagonian steppe, often around villages and agricultural terraces. Locally common, and at times in flocks of 100s, associating readily with other seed-eating birds. All plumages have narrow but distinct white wingbars, unlike other similar species. Male has a yellow bill, a variable black “shield” on face and breast (some birds are wholly black on head and breast), and black streaking on the back. Female is quite different, with a warm brown cheek patch, a pinkish bill, and dark streaking below.