Greater Melampitta

Scarce and very local. A rather plain, easily overlooked, small seed-eating bird. Usually found as singles or pairs in association with seeding bamboo in forested areas, from lowlands to highlands, but mainly in foothills. In most of range the male is dull dark bluish overall (with slightly brighter highlights on shoulder), while the female is rich brown overall. In southwest Mexico, male is paler and more denim-blue; female is grayish brown. Note the grayish bill, which is smaller than bill of Blue Bunting, and subtly different in shape from bill of Varied Bunting. Listen for sharp metallic chips and sweet warbling song.

Medium-sized shy bird of tall forest. Both sexes easily recognizable by thick conical bill and contrasting black head; male’s red plumage renders it essentially unmistakable. Female similarly patterned, but with red replaced by yellow and olive. Found in middle and lower levels of rainforest, especially in hilly regions and premontane forests around the tepuis; locally distributed and nowhere common. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks. Gives thin, lisping contact calls that are easily overlooked. Male’s song is a slow, rich, inflected warble, usually ending on a higher note; distinctive once learned.

A small brown duck with a long bill and tail. In flight, look for a green stripe between two white stripes on the wing. Usually found in saltwater or brackish wetlands, especially on mudflats and in mangroves. Has the odd habit of dabbling on mudflats, usually in pairs. Sometimes found in shallow freshwater wetlands. Rare, endangered, and very local in western Madagascar. Similar in size to Red-billed Duck and Blue-billed Teal, but Bernier’s Teal has a pale cap and a pale pink rather than red or blue bill.