Rufous-naped Tit
Periparus rufonuchalis
Small, dark, crested tit of montane and hilly coniferous forests. Lack of white on the wings (except for large cheek patch) and erect crest separate it from Coal Tit. The namesake rufous nape patch is small and fairly difficult to see. Rufous-vented Tit is extremely similar in appearance, and the two species overlap in the central and western Himalayas, but note present species’ much more extensive black breast. An occasional member of mixed-species flocks in the winter. Calls variable, include a cheery “pi-chew, pi-chew”, bright “chewee, chewee”, and high-pitched, squeaky “cheee”s and “seee”s. Song typically consists of several high-pitched whistles, followed by buzzes, trills, or descending notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Periparus rufonuchalis
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1849)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
- Genus
- Periparus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Fairly common but often inconspicuous small diving bird of wetlands with bordering reeds and other vegetation. Often remains out of sight; less often out on open water (mainly in winter). Rather compact, with rounded head, puffy rear end. Seen mainly as singles and small loose flocks, often sleeping during the day. Breeding plumage often looks dark overall; in good light note dark rusty head and neck sides with yellow patch at base of bill. Nonbreeding plumage dingy pale brownish overall with dark cap.
Jackson's Spurfowl
Pternistis jacksoni
Large, chunky brown francolin with a red bill, red legs, and bare red skin around the eye. Found in montane forest, forest edge, moorland, and grassland. Often in pairs or small groups that are often quite approachable. The common vocalization is a series of loud, rough “skraa” notes. Similar to Scaly Francolin, but larger and richer brown, with red bare skin around the eye.
Gray-fronted Honeyeater
Ptilotula plumula
Medium-sized honeyeater found in open woodlands across inland Australia. Olive brown above, yellowish with diffuse pale streaking below, with pay gray crown and cheek patch with black rear border that is then bordered in yellow. Very similar to Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, which has darker streaked gray underparts and a thinner, more curved yellow neck mark. Calls include rattling, rolling squeaks and a repeated loud piping.
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