Brown Gerygone

A colorful songbird, green above, white below, with orange face, pale yellow breast band, black lateral crown stripes, and sparse black streaking on the throat. Sometimes difficult to see in dense bamboo habitats in hilly areas, where first detected by voice. Forages in groups or among mixed-species flocks. Song is a series of high, thin whistles; contact calls heard from foraging birds are twittering, cricket-like notes.

Widespread hummingbird, but often overlooked. Appears mostly green with a solidly dark blue tail. If seen in good light, note reddish base of bill and (for male) strong bluish sheen on throat and breast. Female identifiable by extensive green spotting below. Occurs in a variety of habitats including river edges, abandoned plantations and second growth, and patches of savanna woodland. Feeds on nectar and defends patches of flowers from other hummingbirds. Male is similar to male Blue-tailed Emerald but is larger, lacks forked tail and has bluish cast on underparts. Female is somewhat similar to Glittering-throated Emerald but has uniformly spotted breast.

A barrel-chested snipe with a dark brown back and frosty-pale face and belly. Breeds in far northern bogs and near streams, where it may even winter if water remains open; the only snipe likely to be seen in this kind of habitat in the colder months. Also winters along rocky streams and artificial canals with flowing water. Much darker and more silvery-gray in coloration than other snipe species, which are a paler brown overall. Flies straight and powerfully; does not zigzag in flight like Common Snipe and Pin-tailed Snipe.