Worstbird

Beautifully patterned cryptic nightjar. Found mainly inside of eastern and northern Madagascar rainforest, though very locally in dry forest. Most often seen when located by local guides, sleeping on the forest floor during the day, usually below a pandanus. Apparently completely silent, which is bizarre for a member of the nightjar family. When perched, distinguished from Madagascar Nightjar by its rufous collar; in flight, by its lack of white in the wings.

Small, uniformly gray swift. With a very good view, pale rump and tiny spines on tail can be seen. Flies rigidly with wings pushed forwards. Seen in flight over and adjacent to all types of forest. On Madagascar, often nests and roosts in cavities of baobab trees. Similar in size and shape to Little Swift, but doesn’t show a bold white band on the rump, and has weaker flight. Similar in size to Malagasy Palm Swift, but has a much shorter square tail. Smaller and shorter-tailed than Madagascar Swift, with much weaker flight.

Kleiner, lebhafter Watvogel, oft an offenen Stränden und im Wattenmeer. Typisches Vor- und Zurückrennen vor auflaufenden Wellen bei der Nahrungssuche in kleinen Gruppen. Im Herbst und Winter grau und weiß; in diesem Gefieder blasser als andere ähnlich große Watvögel. Im Frühjahr mit rostroter Tönung auf Kopf und Brust. Jungvögel im Herbst oberseits kräftig schwarz-weiß gemustert. Brütet in der Hocharktis.

The only trogon in its range with orange-yellow underparts in both males and females. Male has a cinnamon-brown back and a yellow-green head. Female has a duller brown back and less extensive yellow on the underparts. Inhabits mature lowland and foothill forests, where it frequents the lower and middle levels. Gives a toneless series of three to four hooting notes.

Brownish, mid-sized swift with powerful, direct flight. The wings are uniform, without significantly contrasting paler patches on the inside of the wings. Nest in caves and crevices, but can be seen in flight over many habitats, especially dry, montane areas. The call is a moderately-pitched descending trill. Very similar to Pallid and Common Swift, and separation is difficult in times and places where they overlap. Slightly darker than Pallid Swift and paler than Common Swift, with subtly different vocalizations. Also similar to African and Nyanza Swifts, but can be separated by the uniform wings without contrastingly pale panels at the base.