Bar-throated Apalis

A brownish, mottled, strongly marked bowerbird with warm brown tones overall and a small pink crest on the nape. Loud rasping calls include hisses and squawks. Occurs in open woodlands, as well as in gardens and town parks within its range. Males decorate their avenue bowers with pale objects such as small bones and shells. Western Bowerbird is paler, and its range is further west. Spotted Bowerbird lives in inland portions of Queensland and New South Wales.

Generally uncommon and local small sunbird of open and sparsely wooded habitats across a range of elevations throughout central Africa. Male is stunning, with sparkling green head and back, dark purple forehead, and purple-and-red breast band. Namesake orange “tufts” near the front edge of the wing are often hidden. Compare with other similarly plumaged sunbirds across wide range, but note breast band, extensive forehead patch, and strongly decurved long bill. Female is much duller and harder to tell apart from other dull-plumaged sunbirds in the area; note plain, unmarked face and long bill, as well as relatively unstreaked yellow belly. Typically seen singly, occasionally gathering at flowering trees and shrubs. Song starts off with a few quick introductory notes before a loud, pulsing trill. Calls include a “chik” and high-pitched “tseep!”

Large lark with a strong, thick bill and an obvious pale eyebrow. Thick black patches at the neck sides can vary with posture and between individuals. In flight, dark underwings with white trailing edge to upperwings are diagnostic. "Slow-motion" wingbeats in song flight make it look bigger than it is. An inhabitant of open farmland and natural steppe. May form large flocks in winter. Jumbled song consists of trills and chips, and frequently mimics other species.