Large-billed Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus orinus
Poorly known, small gray-brown bird with a large bill, a flat forehead, and a short, pale supercilium. Extremely similar to Blyth’s Reed Warbler, but the Large-billed Reed Warbler has a longer bill, longer legs, and slightly shorter wings. Breeds in damp scrubland at high altitudes. Migratory range and habitats are unclear. Song said to be faster, more complex than that of the Blyth’s Reed Warbler.
Identification
This species has the upper plumage and visible portions of wings and tail olive-brown while the underside is pale creamy with the underwing and axillaries paler.<p>The length is about 5 in (130 mm) with the tail being 2.3 in (58 mm) and the wing 2.4 in (61 mm) long. The tarsus is 0.85 in (22 mm) while the bill from gape is 0.8 in (20 mm). The first primary measures 0.35 in (8.9 mm) while the second is intermediate in length between the ninth and tenth. The closed tail appears graduated with the difference between the longest and shortest feathers being 0.4 in (10 mm). The type specimen was obtained in the Sutlej valley ("Sukedje valley") not far from Rampur.<p>The upper mandible is dark, but the cutting edges and entire lower mandible are pale. The tarsi, toes and claws appear pale brown. The hind claw is longer than in A. dumetorum. The tips of the tail feathers are pointed and more acutely lanceolate than in A. dumetorum or A. concinens. The primary tips are broad and rather squarer. Recent observers note that it has a habit of fanning out its tail open as it forages.<p>The specimens from Afghanistan and Kazakhstan suggest that they breed in Central Asia and moult indicates that they migrate along the Himalayas to winter in northern India and Southeast Asia. Sequence variation points to a stable or shrinking population structure.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Acrocephalus orinus
- Authority
- Oberholser, 1905
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acrocephalidae
- Genus
- Acrocephalus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- OR : ne Afghanistan (Timmins et al. 2009)
- Non-breeding range
- n India and sc Thailand
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Anarhynchus alexandrinus
Small, pale plover with broken black collar, sandy upperparts, grayish legs, and rather fine black bill. Breeding plumage has black mask and black tabs at sides of breast (not a complete band). Nonbreeding plumages have black replaced by brown. Mainly coastal, on sandy beaches, dry mudflats, and at salt ponds, usually near water; also locally inland. Migrants will join with flocks of other shorebirds.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Dryobates borealis
Rare and declining woodpecker found exclusively in open pine woodlands. Boldly patterned black and white; note especially prominent white cheek and barred back. Male's namesake red spot at back of crown is tiny and difficult to see. Typically seen in pairs or family groups. Listen for high, squeaky "peek" calls and lower "churr." Does not visit bird feeders.
Sumatran Laughingthrush
Garrulax bicolor
Stunning Sumatran endemic, now sadly in heavy decline due to poaching for the cagebird trade. Extirpated throughout much of former range, and now only present in more remote montane forests. Combination of dark body, bright white head, and black “mascara” is unique and unmistakable, but shy and reclusive habits make this bird more readily heard than seen; groups may suddenly erupt into a collective raucous cackling song which carries a considerable distance. Also gives a variety of hoots, rattles, and churrs.
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