Newton's Sunbird

A large swift with long pointed wings and a long, deeply forked tail. It has black upperparts, tail, and wings, with a prominent white rump. Feathers of underparts broadly fringed with dirty white, and throat is whitish. Often difficult or nearly impossible to separate in the field from other similar “fork-tailed swifts,” but the white rump band is slightly thinner than that of Pacific Swift, while Salim Ali’s Swift has a slightly differently shaped white throat patch. This species is less blackish than Cook’s Swift, with a slightly wider rump band. Mostly sticks to hills while breeding, but disperses widely post-breeding and large flocks or loose individuals can be seen almost anywhere. 

Mostly rusty-red below and around the face, with a gray cap and a brownish back. Tail black with white tips, and wings have clear white double wingbars. Undertail white. Found in any forested habitat and dense scrub. Song is a short whistled “tee-tee-wheeeooo.” Common calls include mostly low rasping and scolding.

Pretty, medium-sized tetraka. Green back, gray head, and rich yellow underparts. Rare and localized Madagascar endemic that is found in a handful of forest patches in the southwest. Most often seen in the understory of western deciduous forest. Often in pairs, small flocks, or mixed-species flocks. Call is a series of silvery, sputtered “spit” notes. In its small range, separated from Spectacled Tetraka by its brighter underparts, gray head, and pale eye-stripe. Much smaller and more brightly colored than Long-billed Bernieria.