Santa Marta Warbler

A typical thrush in shape and size, but with unusually dull coloration. Mostly brown, with darker striping on the throat and breast, and a yellow bill. Females are slightly paler than males. There is a rufous patch at the front of the underwing, which can be conspicuous in flight. Found at middle and high elevations, in a variety of wooded habitats, including thickets, wadis, and cultivated areas, as well as acacia and juniper woodland. The song is a mix of whistles and trilled notes, that averages drier and less musical than typical thrush song. Also makes typical thrush “chk-chk” and thin “tseeep” calls. Similar to female Eurasian Blackbird, but separated by range, paler overall coloration, and yellow bill.

The only black-and-white wagtail in Africa shows a bold white eyebrow and wing panels and a broad black throat patch. The juvenile is brownish. Pairs and family groups frequent a broad range of habitats, including human-altered environments, but in drier areas they are associated with waterside habitats. The species runs on the ground foraging for insects, characteristically wagging its tail up and down in an exaggerated motion. The juvenile African Pied Wagtail may resemble the Cape Wagtail, but has extensive white panels in the wings.

The largest gull in the world. Huge, bulky, and large-billed. Adults have dark black backs and pale pink legs. Nonbreeding adults have very limited streaking on the head. Takes four years for immatures to reach adult plumage; intermediate plumages are often mottled and messy. Tends to look colder-toned overall, with more checkered upperparts and a whiter head than other immature gulls. Always note large size and thick bill. Most common along the coasts of the northeastern U.S. and Europe, but also occurs on large lakes (especially the Great Lakes). Often gathers in mixed flocks with other large gulls on beaches and mudflats.