Madagascar Lark

Rare and endangered hummingbird found in the Andes of southwestern Colombia. Accessing its tiny known range is difficult, and only a few intrepid and lucky birders have seen one. Male looks quite dark, but has a glittering blue throat bordered on both sides by iridescent green as well as white leg puffs and a blue vent. Female is mostly green with a buffy tinge to the underparts, faint whisker marks, and smaller leg puffs; she is similar to female Glowing Puffleg, but typically has a fainter throat patch and less buff on the neck. Inhabits stunted cloud forest at high elevations.

Uncommon, medium-sized pheasant. Male is almost unbelievable-looking; an immense fan of a snow-white tail sticks out of a rotund, coal-black body. All-rufous-brown female is more normal-looking; her tail is shorter and narrower. Both sexes have sky-blue facial skin, but the male’s extends into wattles, which he erects during display. Found in hilly areas in foothill and montane forest; sometimes nomadic, seeking out fruiting trees.

Dark, medium-sized woodpecker of humid forest. Mostly dark olive-green, with a large and distinctive glossy-brown ear patch. The underparts are heavily marked with yellowish spots. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head. Birds in most of the range have bronzy tones to the back, while i n the western part of the range the back is more greenish. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, and lush secondary habitat at low and middle elevations. The most distinctive call is a very long whistle that rises then fall. Also gives a plaintive rattling call and a slightly tapering drum. Similar to Buff-spotted Woodpecker, but larger, and with a dark cheek patch.