Vogelkop Bowerbird

A very plain gray-brown seedeater with a white throat and a yellow rump that is conspicuous in flight. Found locally in savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, usually in small flocks. Similar to Reichenow’s Seedeater, but has a weaker facial pattern and usually less streaking below. Separated from White-rumped Seedeater by the yellow rump and the whiter throat. Also similar to Yellow-throated and Salvadori’s Serins, but separated by the white rather than yellow throat. The song is a constant stream of musical whistles and trills. 

Large, spectacular, and basically unmistakable penguin that is rarely seen away from well-known colony sites. The long and stout bill distinguishes King from the even larger but shorter-billed Emperor Penguin, which is a true Antarctic species, rarely seen far from ice. Also note the golden neck patches (can fade to whitish on immatures) and pink bill base (bill starts out black on immature). Breeding season requires more than a year, so birds can be seen year-round at colonies.

Widespread and fairly common in northern South America. This medium-sized woodcreeper is found in open wooded habitats, scrub, and riparian forest. The well-named woodcreeper has a very straight bill that can even look slightly upturned unlike most other woodcreepers. Also note the bill’s pale color. Otherwise, mostly dark brown with fine streaking on the head and breast, but note the unstreaked back. Very similar to Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, but listen for Straight-billed’s slightly slower song that typically goes up in pitch at the end. Striped Woodcreeper has more streaking on the back and a slightly decurved bill. Usually seen singly or in pairs working up tree trunks and branches, usually at lower to middle levels in forest. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks.