Golden-crested Myna

A colorful, boldly marked bunting. Note the black-and-white facial pattern, the brown back and rump, and the yellow underparts. Found in broadleaf woodland, moist savanna, and cultivated areas. Similar to Golden-breasted Bunting, but separated by the narrower black stripes on the face, the yellow belly, and the lack of white wingbars. Somewhat similar to Cabanis’s Bunting, but separated by the brown back and the mostly white rather than black cheek patch. The song is a quick warbling jumble, ending on a higher trill. 

A large bird of lowland and montane forest on the Sulu Islands, although probably only remaining on Tawi-Tawi. Feeds particularly on fig trees. One of the rarest birds in the world. Entirely black except for a white tail. Has a long, thick black bill, a black casque, and black bare skin around the eye. Male has pale eyes and female has brown eyes and a smaller casque. Unmistakable. The only hornbill in its range. Voice is a nasal cackling.

Furtive brown warbler. Brown above and pale below, with a striped vent. Namesake spotting is variable; Himalayan birds have a necklace of dark spots, while central Chinese birds have a much lighter stippled patch on the chest. Extremely difficult to tell apart from non-singing Baikal Bush Warbler where the two overlap: in Spotted, look for a stronger gray wash on the neck and chest, and warmer-toned upperparts. Sichuan and Chinese Bush Warblers can also be similar, but average more warmly-colored, with plainer underparts. Spotted Bush Warbler breeds in dense, shrubby, stunted growth near treeline and winters in reedbeds, wet meadows, and grassy edges. Furtive and skulking; listen for its song, a long series of curious, echoing, clicking phrases: “pritti-kee-kee-dee, pritti-kee-kee-dee.”