Gray Bunting

A gray-olive thrush with a white belly, buff-orange flanks, a distinctive bright orange bill and eye-ring, and a pale throat with a broad black moustache. Pairs occupy a variety of broadleaf woodland, thornveld, and open savanna, where it runs on the ground foraging for plant and animal matter. It gives a series of varied fluting notes and whistles, and is known to imitate the calls of other birds. The similar African Thrush also has a pale belly and occupies savanna, but its bill is yellow, not orange.

A medium-sized songbird endemic to New Zealand, confined to predator-free offshore islands and North Island mainland sanctuaries. Glossy black plumage with distinct chestnut saddle across the back, which gives the bird its name. Note the bright reddish-orange wattles on either side of the bill. Juveniles lack the shine in plumage and show dusty brown tips to the black body feathers and smaller wattles. The species is often heard before it is seen, with loud vocalizations resembling a blaring “cheet te-te-te-te.” Constantly moves noisily as it restlessly forages on the floor and through the canopy. Flicks over leaves and digs into rotting logs with its strong bill in search of invertebrates. Distinguished from Eurasian Blackbird by chestnut saddle and wattles.

This small warblerlike bird is rich cinnamon below and gray above. The namesake rufous brow is fairly obvious but blends into the face. Bill is sharply pointed. Sexes alike. Singles or pairs are uncommon in shrubby woodlands and edges in northern Colombia and extreme western Venezuela. Often follows mixed-species flocks.