South Island Takahe

Small mostly terrestrial bird of rainforest and wet eucalypt woodlands in a very small range in the Atherton Tabelands of far northern Queensland. Brownish above, grayish yellow below, with long pointed bill, long pinkish legs, and off-white eyering. Forages for insects mostly on the ground or in the lower canopy. Compare Large-billed Scrubwren, which is paler, less likely to feed on the ground, slightly smaller, and has a more twittering call. Song is variable, often including repeated two-note elements.

Overall the Cape Griffon is creamy-white, much paler and larger than the White-backed Vulture. At close range, the adult’s eyes are honey-colored, and there is a speckled stripe along the middle of the wing. They nest in small to large colonies in hills and mountains but will fly hundreds of kilometers to forage. The similar White-backed Vulture is smaller and darker with a wing that is more contrasting between flight feathers and the remainder of the underwing; at close range its dark eyes are visible.

Powerfully built hawk of forests, especially hilly woods. Namesake crest is usually held low and not very visible. Adult has a gray head, brown wings, whitish underparts with thick orange-brown stripes in belly and streaks in breast, and white throat with black borders. Juvenile similar but with brown head, sparingly marked underparts, and very short crest. Appears stockier and relatively shorter-tailed in flight than other accipiters. Flying adults may also show a fluffy white clump of feathers on both sides of the tail.