Brown-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus

The pale button eyes of this gull give it a somewhat fearsome appearance. Breeding adult’s head is the color of milk chocolate, lightening towards the bill. Non-breeding and first-winter birds have a dark ear patch and faint traces of the dark hood. All plumages may be confused with smaller Black-headed Gull, but note pale eyes and more extensive black on the primaries in all plumages. Breeds on high-altitude lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and winters on marshes, estuaries, lakes and rivers, most often in coastal areas.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
Authority
(Jerdon, 1840)
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Laridae
Genus
Chroicocephalus

Range and habitat

Breeding range
PAL : inland Tibetan Plateau of Tajikistan, Xinjiang (w China), Ladakh (far nw India) and Tibet
Non-breeding range
inland and coastal Indian Subcontinent, sw China, w se Asia
Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

White-bibbed Babbler

White-bibbed Babbler

Stachyris thoracica

Handsome and well-named large babbler with a snow-white “bib.” Also note blue facial skin and bright chestnut back. Crown is brownish on birds from western Java, and grayish on those from central and eastern Java. Despite large size and bright colors, can be quite skulky and difficult to see well. Hops and clambers about in dense bushes and vines in foothill forests, typically in mid-sized groups, giving dry churring rattles. Also gives a short, fluty-sounding whistle.

Little Hermit

Little Hermit

Phaethornis longuemareus

Tiny, mostly warm brown hummingbird. Note distinctive curved bill; long, white central tail feathers; and dark brown throat. Found in understory of swampy forest, including second growth and abandoned plantations, primarily in coastal areas. Forages on nectar, visiting widely-spaced food sources and often seen flying between them in low, direct flight, giving a characteristic plaintive squeak. At close range, often detected by loud and erratic wing noise, like a large bee, as it weaves among understory plants. May pause briefly to investigate people. Males sing from low perches; song is a series of high, slurred notes with a distinctive pattern. Most similar to Reddish Hermit, but Little is much less rufous, lacks a black breast band, and is generally restricted to coastal swamp forests.

Blue-and-white Swallow

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

One of the most common and widespread Neotropical swallows. Small and compact with notched tail. Generally dark above and white below; best field mark is black undertail coverts sharply cut off from white belly. Flocks can be seen in towns and cities, open fields, bodies of water, and over forest. Often perches on telephone wires.

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