Socotra White-eye

A plain warbler dressed in subtle shades of olive, brown, and buff. Note black and tan stripes on head and long, sharp bill. Pinkish legs. Skulky, often seen in the understory, probing clumps of dead leaves in search of insects. Breeds in mature deciduous forests, especially on steep dry slopes. Winters primarily in Middle America and the Caribbean, where it can be found in a wider variety of forested habitats. Listen for its dry, insectlike trill that is very similar to Chipping Sparrow. Appearance most similar to Swainson’s Warbler; distinguished by head pattern (Swainson’s has a rufous crown, Worm-eating has a striped head) and habits (Swainson’s usually found on the ground, Worm-eating in low understory).

A common medium-sized bird of open forest, scrub, and gardens from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains. Male has black upperparts, throat, and chest, a white belly, and a prominent white mark in the wing. In the female, the black parts are replaced by gray, except for the wing, which remains black. Similar in size and color to Philippine Pied-Fantail, but has a white mark in the wing. Song is a pleasant, medium-pitched warbling. Also gives a short descending scratchy song, harsh rasping notes, or a pulsing, downslurred “chew! chew! chew!”

Uncommon inhabitant of humid evergreen forest in tropical lowlands. Found singly or in pairs, typically perched quietly and rather upright at middle to upper levels inside the forest. Often with mixed-species feeding flocks acting as a sentinel, giving alarm calls when a hawk or other predator appears. Striking black-and-yellow male suggests an oriole in pattern, but note stout bill. Female much duller, with grayish head and stout bill.