Black-browed Albatross
Thalassarche melanophris
A common and widespread albatross of the southern oceans; often seen from shore and ferries. Like other albatrosses, often scavenges at fishing boats. All plumages white-headed, often obvious at long distance (black brow only visible at close range). Adult has orange-yellow bill, brighter at the tip and thick black irregular underwing margins; 1st-year has dusky bill with black tip and solidly blackish underwings; mostly like adult in 3 years.
Identification
A common and widespread albatross of the southern oceans; often seen from shore and ferries. Like other albatrosses, often scavenges at fishing boats. All plumages white-headed, often obvious at long distance (black brow only visible at close range). Adult has orange-yellow bill, brighter at the tip and thick black irregular underwing margins; 1st-year has dusky bill with black tip and solidly blackish underwings; mostly like adult in 3 years.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Thalassarche melanophris
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Diomedeidae
- Genus
- Thalassarche
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Green Oriole
Oriolus flavocinctus
Medium-sized songbird with a long red bill and red eye. Olive-green above, with greenish breast blending into yellow belly. Juvenile and immature also yellowish on the belly, unlike Olive-backed Oriole or Australasian Figbird. Forages in forested areas, gardens, and parks in northern Australia, usually singly or in pairs, singing frequently, a rich, throaty “yok-yok-yoddle.”
Chinese Sparrowhawk
Tachyspiza soloensis
Attractive accipiter of wooded habitats. Adult gray above with orange-suffused white underparts; also note bright yellow cere (skin around the nostrils). In flight, solid black wingtips stand out against otherwise pale underparts, diagnostic for this species. Juveniles dark brown above and streaky below, similar to Japanese Sparrowhawk, but underwing coverts unmarked or very lightly marked instead of heavily marked as in Japanese.
Laced Woodpecker
Picus vittatus
Typical green woodpecker, with a tea-green back, gray face, and solid black moustache stripe. Male has a bright red crown while female has a dull black one. Strikingly striped wings most readily seen in flight. Gives sharp, loud “kip” calls and more strident two-note calls during confrontations. In southwestern Thailand and southern Myanmar, look out for the similar Streak-breasted Woodpecker, which has a faded, indistinct moustache stripe in both sexes. Also compare with Streak-throated Woodpecker, which, as the name suggests, has noticeable streaking on the throat, as well as a more indistinct moustache stripe.
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