Worstbird

A dull, nondescript, slender buffy bunting. Subtle features include a rusty wing panel, a pale spot near the ear, a buffy eyebrow, and a small pale silvery bill. Pairs can be low-density residents, but typically the species is nomadic, and large flocks irrupt into the semi-arid Karoo, Kalahari, and Namib after rainfall events; but it may reach savanna and other atypical habitats, particularly in drier years. It prefers areas with bare stony soil and often is found close to pools of drinking water. The song is a short series of varied scratchy trills, but the distinctive flight call is short, dry, crisp one-note “tec” which often betrays its presence. It often flocks with other seedeaters, lacking the black belly patch of the otherwise similar female sparrow-larks.

A common thrush of clearings and forest edge in most of western Ecuador; also reaches far northwestern Peru. Adult’s tan plumage, yellow bill, and orange eyering are distinct in its range. Young birds have pale spots on their wings, and a mottled breast; they may also have darker bills. Sings a melodious song that can last for many minutes, and also gives a cat-like meow. Visits fruit feeders in some areas.

A large stork with a completely bare head and neck ideal for its scavenging habits. The adult’s face is red and the neck is yellow while the juvenile has a brownish head and a white, thinly-feathered neck. The upperparts are all dark while the underparts are mostly white. In flight, note the broad wings with distinctive white “armpits” and tucked in neck. Similar to the larger Greater Adjutant; Lesser has a more slender bill, has all-dark upperwings, and often adopts a more upright, less “hunched” posture. Often found in shallow marshes, fields, and swamps.

Rather local breeder in drier Patagonian areas with open forest and shrubby slopes. Migrates across the Andes to winter in Chile, where it is found in matorral and other shrubby habitats. Often rather skulking. Very similar to Scale-throated Earthcreeper of the Andes and southern Patagonia, but limited range overlap. Patagonian Forest Earthcreeper averages darker with bolder pale eyebrow, slightly shorter and darker bill, and a different song. Also compare with Buff-winged Cinclodes, which has shorter and straight bill.

Winzig-kleine Ente mit einem zierlichen, dünnen Schnabel. Männchen mit braunem Kopf und grünem Feld hinter dem Auge, cremefarbener, gesprenkelter Brust und überwiegend grauem Körper. Weibchen braun, insgesamt dunkler als andere Gründelenten. Frisst Unterwasserpflanzen durch Kippen und Eintauchen des Vorderkörpers (gründeln). Sucht auch auf überschwemmten Sumpfwiesen nach Nahrung.

Große, unverkennbare Ammer. Männchen mit grauem, markant schwarz gestreiftem Kopf und Brust, kastanienfarbener Unterseite und gestrichelter Oberseite. Weibchen und Jungvögel ähnlich Männchen, nur dezenter. Brütet an felsigen Hängen knapp oberhalb der Baumgrenze und bevorzugt verbuschte Gebiete mit einzelnen Bäumen. Ernährt sich von Samen und wirbellosen Tieren. Unauffällig, wenn auch nicht besonders scheu. Macht durch hohen und klaren Gesang auf sich aufmerksam.

A small, compact, finch-like sociable lark that can be both resident and nomadic, although movements are poorly understood. The sexes differ in plumage: the distinctive male has a tawny crown and nape, bold pale ear-patches, and otherwise dark face and throat that stretch as a line down the belly to the vent; the dull streaky female has a buffy eyebrow and a dark breast and belly patch. Immature is similar to the female. Small-to-medium-size flocks prefer semi-arid grassland and bare fields. Compare to Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, in which both sexes are darker and more contrasting than Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark.

A drab olive-brown sparrow-sized songbird with a downcurved bill, dark speckling on the chest, and a small white cheek patch. Juvenile lacks speckling and has pink cheek skin. Noisy groups inhabit lowland habitats, including forest, mangroves, cultivated areas, and scrub. Confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas and the Tanimbar and Kai Islands. Differs from Indonesian Honeyeater in the speckling on the breast and the white facial mark. Calls include a coarse, incessant “tutututututututututu…”, “chup” and “chirrup” notes, and sharp “kwit” calls.