Black-headed Heron

Ardea melanocephala

A large, grayish heron of drier habitats; note distinctly dark cap and nape contrasting with white throat. In flight the underwing is strongly contrasting black-and-white. The juvenile is duskier and duller. It walks slowly, hunting for small animals, and is often found far from water foraging in burnt grassland or open savanna, though it may also occasionally haunt a pond or quiet river bend. Juveniles resemble juvenile Gray Herons, but juvenile Black-headed Herons have slate-gray rather than yellow legs. Gray Heron also has uniformly gray (not black-and-white) underwings.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ardea melanocephala
Authority
Children & Vigors, 1826
Order
Pelecaniformes
Family
Ardeidae
Genus
Ardea

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Giant Nuthatch

Giant Nuthatch

Sitta magna

The largest nuthatch in the world, about the size of a bulbul. Coloration similar to many other nuthatches: gray above and white below, with a thick black line through the eye. Picky in its habitat preferences and as a result generally uncommon or absent through much of its range; requires extensive stands of mature tall pines in foothills and montane regions. Can be quite loud, giving a hoarse chatter reminiscent of a corvid; also gives a clipped fluty whistle.

Stripe-cheeked Greenbul

Stripe-cheeked Greenbul

Arizelocichla milanjensis

Large chunky, olive-green greenbul. The crown is gray, and there is a white arc above the eye, and a dark cheek with fine white stripes, though these can be hard to see. Found in humid foothill and montane forest. The song is a chatty, up-and-down series of low “chowp” notes and higher nasal notes. Similar to Black-browed Mountain Greenbul, but has cheek striping, and greenish rather than grayish underparts.

Mountain Tailorbird

Mountain Tailorbird

Phyllergates cucullatus

Tiny warbler with a long bill and frequently cocked tail. Secretive, tending to stick to the brushy underlayer of hill and submontane forest. Often moves about solitarily, but can sometimes be found with mixed-species flocks, especially with small warblers and fulvettas. Green above and yellow below, with a pale gray throat. Somewhat resembles a Common or Dark-necked tailorbird, but only a fraction of the size, with a proportionally far longer bill, black eye-stripe, and bright orange forehead. Song is an extremely high-pitched tinkling series of whistled notes with an otherworldly quality. Calls include high descending trills and dry chittering.

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