Sri Lanka Thrush
Zoothera imbricata
Large, long-billed brown thrush with extensive black scales all over the body, and rich buff underparts. A very secretive, terrestrial species that frequents the understory of wet forests of lowlands and mountains. Most often encountered in the foothills, foraging along forest tracks. Told from female Pied and Spot-winged Thrushes by presence of extensive black markings on the upperparts, and rich buff coloration to the underparts. Heard mainly at dawn and dusk. Mournful, unobtrusive song a series of downslurred whistles: “cheeew-chew-lew”, with emphasis on first note, and rapid final two notes. Calls include a barely-audible, high-pitched, short, sharp “tsit” notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zoothera imbricata
- Authority
- Layard, EL, 1854
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Zoothera
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Platycercus adscitus
Pale yellow and blue rosella with characteristic white and yellow head. Endemic to the northern parts of eastern Australia where it may hybridize with other rosellas. Occurs in a wide range of open habitats, and mostly in pairs rather than large flocks. Reasonably common in suburban areas, although it can be hard to find.
Northern Red Bishop
Euplectes franciscanus
A very small gregarious species of open habitats including agricultural areas and the edges of marshes; often found in flocks of tens to hundreds. Note the black face and crown, brown wings, and long reddish orange uppertail coverts (concealing black tail) of breeding male. Nonbreeding males and females distinguished from similar Black-winged Bishop by smaller size and bill and told from Yellow-crowned Bishop by buffier coloration and more limited streaking on chest. Song is a rapid jumble of squeaky, twittering, and churring notes. Its calls include a sharp “tsit” and “tzit.”
Persian Shearwater
Puffinus persicus
A relatively small shearwater with uniformly white underparts. The upperparts are pale brown throughout with some of the brown extending to the flanks. The wings are almost entirely brown except for a white shaft down the middle. Though small in size, it is heavily built with proportionally broad wings. Flies low over the water with a purposeful and fast flight and smooth gliding. Feeds off the water surface and occasionally makes shallow dives.
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