Slate-colored Antbird

A short-tailed understory robin with a bright yellow-orange throat. Also shows a dark-green back, buff belly, and a white spot in front of the eye. Most often encountered by its song: a duet, in which the male gives high-pitched whistles and the female makes an accompanying chatter. Similar to Orange-breasted Forest Robin (potentially very limited overlap in range), but underparts more extensively yellowish-orange. Otherwise most likely to be confused with Lowland Akalat, but can always be distinguished by the white spot in front of the eye, as well as the dark-green rather than rufous-brown back, and the buff rather than white belly.

The most migratory of the Asian white-eyes, this minute bird breeds in the boreal woodlands of far northeastern China and Russia and winters in southern China and northern Southeast Asia. Frequently migrates in immense flocks and can often be seen in gatherings of thousands on headlands and islands. Bright yellow-green upper body, white underparts, and striking white eye ring give this species the general white-eye look, but the broad brush-stroke of rufous on the flanks distinguishes it from similar species. Vocalizations consist largely of high, sweet, rising “sweee”s.

Large, spectacular swift, often seen in swirling flocks, at times with other species of swifts. Roosts and nests mainly in caves and behind waterfalls, but ranges widely over forests, open areas, and towns, from highlands to coastal lowlands. Note the large size, complete white collar, and forked tail tip. Varied screaming and chattering calls can suggest parakeets.