Photo of the Day – The Rufous-breasted Antthrush (Formicarius rufipectus) is similar to other members of its genus by being a short-tailed, chunky, forest floor dwelling bird that walks like a chicken. It is usually found singly or in pairs throughout the forest, but can also be seen attending army ant swarms.

This photo was taken by Dušan Brinkhuizen in Ecuador

Photo of the Day – The Javan Trogon (Apalharpactes reinwardtii) is endemic to the west of Java in Indonesia. The species was once lumped together with Sumatran Trogon as one species, the Blue-tailed Trogon. However, they have been split because of differences in size, weight and plumage.

This stunner was photographed by Adam Riley

Photo of the Day – The Purple-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox mitchellii) is one of four species in its genus. This particular species is found in parts of Colombia and Ecuador, where it inhabits humid and wet forests, forest edges and clearings with trees. The male adorns this species’ stunning namesake, but in the field there are times when the throat will look almost completely black.

Thankfully, this beauty was photographed by Dušan Brinkhuizen in perfect conditions in northern Ecuador.

Photo of the Day – The Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani) is a mostly dull looking bird. However, in the right light the males’ throats burst into a stunning display of colour – giving this species its name. Like other thornbills, it has an extremely short bill for its size.

This photo was taken by Dušan Brinkhuizen in northern Ecuador

Photo of the Day – The Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis) is a member of the white-eye family Zosteropidae. It is found in subtropical/tropical moist montane forests from the Himalayas to southern China and central Vietnam.

This beauty was photographed by Daniel Danckwerts in China

Photo of the Day – The Campo Flicker (Colaptes campestris) is a fascinating looking woodpecker with a large distribution across central, eastern and north-eastern South America. The species prefers open country, occupying savanna and scrubland and feeding almost exclusively on the ground.

This stunner was photographed by Adam Riley in Brazil

Photo of the Day – The Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana) is a highly social species that is characterised by… you guessed it… turquoise-blue face and breast. Despite its species name (mexicana), it is not found in Mexico or anywhere in Central America. Instead, the species is distributed across northern and central South America.

This photo was taken by Dušan Brinkhuizen in northern Ecuador

Photo of the Day – The Chinese White-browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus dubius) is found in temperate forests and shrubland in central China and eastern Tibet. This species is a member of the true finch family Fringillidae, and was at one point considered a subspecies of Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch (C. thura).

This beautiful bird was photographed by Daniel Danckwerts in China

Photo of the Day – The Cream-colored Woodpecker (Celeus flavus) has a widespread distribution in South America. Its mostly yellow plumage is unique for a woodpecker, with the subspecies varying somewhat in the shade of yellow. Like most other members in its genus, it has a large crest, yellow bill, and the males have a flicker-like red moustache.

This photo was taken by Dušan Brinkhuizen in northern Ecuador

Photo of the Day – The Madagascan Wagtail (Motacilla flaviventris) is a Madagascan endemic found throughout the island. It is most common in the east and on the central plateau, less common in the north and west, and rare in the south. This is a large, slender and elegant wagtail most typically found around water or in open areas.

This photo was taken by Daniel Danckwerts

Photo of the Day – The Black-chested Mountain Tanager (Cnemathraupis eximia) is one of two members in its genus, the other being the Golden-backed (C. aureodorsalis). This is a rather uncommon and local species, inhabiting the high elevation treeline cloud forest mostly on the eastern slope of the Andes.

This photo was taken by Dušan Brinkhuizen in northern Ecuador

Photo of the Day – The Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) is the sole member of its genus. This species is one of a handful of weavers that have a widespread distribution in Africa. It is found in western, eastern, central and southern Africa, where it inhabits broad-leaved woodland, bushveld, miombo and acacia savanna.

This photo was taken by Rich Lindie in South Africa

Photo of the Day – The Rufous-capped Antshrike (Thamnophilus ruficapillus) is a species with quite an interesting distribution. The nominate subspecies is widespread in eastern South America, while there are four subspecies found in the Andes between southern Peru and Argentina, and then one subspecies far-removed from the others in a small region in northern Peru! Both males and females in all the populations display the rufous crown.

This photo was taken by Adam Riley in Brazil

Photo of the Day – The Slaty-backed Flycatcher (Ficedula erithacus) is found in a number of Asian countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India and Thailand. This is an Old World Flycatcher, and its natural habitats are subtropical/tropical moist lowland and montane forests.

This photo was taken by Daniel Danckwerts in China

Photo of the Day – The Cinnamon Attila (Attila cinnamomeus) is a large flycatcher found in the lowlands of northern South America. This distinctive species has a contiguous range that stretches from the Amazon basin north to the Guianas, and it primarily inhabits lower level of wetland forest and river corridors.

This beauty was photographed by Dušan Brinkhuizen in northern Ecuador

Photo of the Day – The Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris) is a passerine found in dry open woodlands and moist savanna south of the Sahara. This species is not gregarious, and is usually found alone, in pairs or in small groups. It feeds on the ground, taking seeds, insects and spiders.

This beauty was photographed by Glen Valentine in South Africa

Photo of the Day – The Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) is a small member of the tanager family found from southern Mexico to Brazil. While the male shows off an unbelievably iridescent plumage, the females – much more neutral in colour – are still quite beautiful as well.

This is wonderfully evident from Dušan Brinkhuizen’s photo here, which was taken in Ecuador.