Arafura Shrikethrush

A large, shy bird of forest streams in the lowlands and foothills. Strong barring apart from white belly. Note the dagger-shaped bill with a broad base, striking yellow eyes and yellow legs. Solitary and feeds on small fish and crustaceans in streams. Flies up and perches in trees when flushed. Similar to the juvenile Rufous Night-Heron but found in more forested environments and has barring rather than streaks and spots. Normally silent.

Bland, unremarkable-looking medium-sized babbler of open forest, forest edges, clearings, brushy riparian, and overgrown margins of cultivation in lowland and foothill areas. Extremely generic-looking, with no bright colors, a medium-length tail, and an average bill. Evenly-proportioned body gives it a rather bulbul-like outline. Note unmarked gray face, dark gray crown, dark rufous tail, and faint brownish wash on the chest. Especially similar to Moustached Babbler, but note present species’ darker crown, plain face (no moustache), and more slender bill. Scaly-crowned is also similar, but has a bright rufous patch on the forecrown. Plainly-colored Pellorneum babblers can be confusing, but note differences in proportions and profile. Most frequently-heard song is a beautiful but eerily human-like rising series of even whistles; when duetting, one bird often gives explosive “wik!” calls in response. Also gives a quicker, more cheery, and less human-like version of the song, as well as a short melancholy up-and-down series of whistles.

Attractive ground-dwelling bird. Slender and long-tailed, bright yellow below with paler throat and grayish-olive back; extremely variable. Tail is black with white outer feathers; often pumps tail up and down while walking on the ground. Young birds lack yellow color, but have distinctive head pattern. Often seen near water. Listen for high-pitched, piercing call note. Common breeder on Arctic tundra from Alaska to Russia; found in grassy and waterside habitats in Southeast Asian wintering grounds and in migration.