Southern Yellow White-eye
Zosterops anderssoni
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird that is saturated with yellow. Note the yellow underparts, olive-yellow back, and bold white spectacles around the eyes. There is some geographical variation, with montane populations generally darker with a broader eye-ring, and lower-elevation savanna populations paler with a narrower eye-ring. Found in forest, savanna, scrub, gardens, moist woodland, and plantations, usually in hyperactive flocks that can contain many individuals. Often joins mixed flocks with other small birds. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Similar to Pale White-eye, but usually separated by range; shows more yellow above the bill, is more richly-colored overall, and prefers moister habitats. Similar to Green White-eye, but slightly paler and usually separated by range. Also similar to Northern Yellow White-eye, though usually separated by range; identification in areas of overlap is poorly understood.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zosterops anderssoni
- Authority
- Shelley, 1892
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
Small, orange-legged plover with solid dark breast band. Medium-brown upperparts are the color of wet sand, noticeably darker than Piping or Snowy Plovers. Look for short, blunt bill with orange base (often indistinct on juveniles). Feeds on mudflats and beaches, often mixed with other shorebirds. Even when in a flock, individuals are typically spread out rather than remaining a tight unit. Breeds on the tundra or rocky beaches at northern latitudes; winters to southern South America. Migrants are common and widespread, inland and coastal. Listen for distinctive two parted “chu-weep!” calls, and assorted chortles and chuckles.
Common Hill Myna
Gracula religiosa
Glossy black myna with bright yellow head wattles. Also note bright candlewax-orange bill and white wing patches that are most apparent in flight. A species of mature humid forest and forest edge, often seen in pairs or small flocks flying between or perched up in tall trees. Famed for its wide repertoire: gives a myriad of screams, squeaks, chirps, and whistles. Threatened by its popularity in the cage bird trade.
Siberian Crane
Leucogeranus leucogeranus
Rare and declining, but still fairly abundant at its main wintering grounds at Poyang Lake, in China’s Jiangxi Province. Adult is unmistakable with all-white plumage, save for a crimson face and black wingtips. Juveniles are whitish, with a light brown head, neck, back, and wings. Typically found around lake edges and fields, where it forages in small to medium-sized groups, primarily for plant matter and invertebrates.
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