Malabar Starling

A large-bodied, small-headed, black gamebird perfectly lined with rows of hundreds of bluish-white spots. It has a ridiculous-looking plumed “toupee” above the naked face, which features a distinctive ivory-colored bill and a blood-red eye. The bare facial skin is red on the face and blue on the neck. Prefers forest and thickets, where it forages on the ground for berries, seeds, and other plant matter. The similar Helmeted Guineafowl differs by its lack of a feathered crest, having a bone-like casque on top of the head instead. The alarm call is a series of rattling, agitated notes that speed up and slow down; similar to the call of Helmeted Guineafowl, but with a tinnier quality.

Small screech-owl with a scattered distribution in the Andes. It inhabits cloud forest in southeastern Ecuador and northern Peru, as well as a few locations in Colombia and Venezuela. Most birds have bright cinnamon-buff plumage, but some are brown and tan. Distinguished from the similar Rufescent Screech-Owl by the lack of any white marks on the shoulders, and by voice. Song is a fast, rising and falling series of soft “pu” notes. The speed at which the notes are given is quite variable.

An uncommon, medium-sized honeyeater of upper montane and sub-alpine forest and shrubbery. Dusky-gray body with olive wings, orange legs, black face with two yellow tufts and a white ear spot. Usually forages alone or in pairs unless at flowering trees, where it can be aggressive. Similar to Orange-cheeked Honeyeater, but Black-throated Honeyeater is smaller and has a distinct white ear spot. More often heard than seen. Song, a distinctive, descending and descelerating series of bubbling notes.