Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush

Stumpy, short-tailed sunbird of the Western Ghats’ foothill forests. Male has a glossy dark green cap, a red back and chest, a dark purplish throat, and an off-white belly. As in most sunbirds, the female is comparatively drab, with brown upperparts, yellow-washed underparts, and a bright red rump. Listen for this species’ high tinkling song and sharp “chik” notes, often given while foraging.

Spectacularly colorful and unmistakable long-billed insect-eater with a bright yellow throat, gemstone-blue belly, and flame-colored back. Found in open and semiopen country, mainly in drier areas; nests colonially in burrows dug into sand banks, often river banks. Usually seen perched on wires or circling in swallowlike flight, often in small groups; feeds by catching insects (especially bees) on the wing. Quite vocal, often giving distinctive pipping calls.

Large red-and-black rainforest woodpecker. Both sexes have a deep red head, neck, and underparts with a black back and wings, and a pale bill. Males have a small white ear spot whereas females have a white stripe extending from the base of the bill to under the eye. Distinguished from other large woodpeckers such as Lineated and Crimson-crested by the red neck and underparts and lack of prominent white markings on the neck. Found in mature rainforest and occasionally around forest edges and younger forest. Listen for its nasal “ng-kah” call and territorial double knock.