Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk

A large, bulky, gray-brown ibis with an iridescent green-purple gloss on the wings. It has a bicolored black-and-red bill and a white streak across the cheek under the eye. Pairs and small flocks occur in a variety of habitats including open country, wetland margins, and forest edge; they forages on the ground, digging, probing soft soil, and picking up invertebrates with their long bills. The frequently-heard call is one of the most characteristic sounds of Africa: a loud, raucous, trumpeting “ha-da-da” which gives the bird its name.

A slender, long-billed warbler with distinctive pattern. Look for yellow throat, black mask, and black streaks on sides. All plumages are very similar; females and immatures often show a light buffy wash on the sides. Forages like a nuthatch, often creeping along branches and hanging upside-down. Fairly common breeder in mature forests with large sycamores or pines. Winters from the southeastern U.S. to Central America and the Caribbean, often in palm trees. Listen for sweet descending song with sharper notes at the end.

Attractive sparrow found along the western edge of the Andes in northwestern Argentina, barely reaching over the border into Bolivia. Note the chestnut head stripes, dark smudge between eye and bill, and black and white mustache. Similar to Chaco Sparrow, with which it was formerly lumped as Stripe-capped Sparrow, but is larger with more extensive black on the face, rustier wings, and a different voice. Inhabits open, grassy habitats with scattered trees and low scrub. Song is a slow series of wheezy chirps.