Kashmir Nuthatch

Gangly raptor with long wings and tail; local in marshes and wetlands with extensive reed beds. Mainly seen in flight, quartering fairly low over marshes, with wings raised in shallow V. Commonest plumage dark brown overall with variable creamy cap, throat, and narrow leading edge to wing. Brightest adult males have tricolored upperwings, grayish tail, pale head and breast contrasting with rusty-brown belly. Extremely similar to closely related Eastern Marsh-Harrier; males of that species are darker-headed and browner-chested, and females are warmer brown and streakier on the chest, without Eurasian's discrete white 'cap' and dark line through the eye.

An unusual shorebird that is so distinctive that it has been placed in its own family. The back is blue-gray and the underparts salmon; the head and breast are boldly marked with black and white. Immatures are duller, but still distinctive. In flight, shows a striking pattern of black and white in the outer wing. Found mostly on sandbars in slow-flowing rivers, rarely in other wetland habitats. The call is a “tchep” that is often repeated, especially in flight.

This medium-sized parakeet is restricted to the eastern Andes of central Colombia. Like other species in the genus, it is mostly green with a pointed tail. Look for the reddish-brown neck and breast with a scaly pattern, a maroon tail, and a bright yellow patch on the forewing. Small flocks occur in cloud forest from 1,800 to 3,000 m. Often seen in flight, but perches in the canopy to feed on fruit.