Nicobar Parakeet

A typical martin with brown upperparts and pale underparts strongly marked with dark streaks. Juvenile is rustier, with a paler chin and throat, and is less boldly streaked below. Resident and restricted to forest-fringed rivers between south Congo and central Angola, breeding in small groups in sandbanks. Despite being fairly common, the species’ vocalizations are unknown. No other martins within its range are streaked below.

Namesake white wing bars make this prinia relatively distinctive. Also note white throat, pale yellow belly, and black-and-white tips to tail feathers. Endemic to Java, Sumatra, and some smaller adjacent islands. Inhabits scrubby habitats, such as farm field edges and old plantations, as well as mangroves. Often seen in low vegetation, but forages at all levels of habitat. Sometimes forms small flocks outside the breeding season. Song is a twanging, repetitive “chwet-chwet-chwet” or “cheweet-cheweet-cheweet”. Calls include a sharp “chwit” and a harsh, nasal “jee!”

Plump little gray bird found along unpolluted rivers and streams, almost always near running water. Bright white "bib" is present across vast majority of range, but a “dark morph” (all dark brown) exists in parts of Asian range. Mainly found in foothills and uplands, rarely in flatlands or coastal plains unless some running water is nearby. Usually encountered as singles feeding inconspicuously among rocks and pools; swims readily and even dives underwater. Often bobs persistently when standing, and flies strongly and low over the water, with whirring wingbeats. Loud, repetitive song is somewhat thrush-like, and carries well over the rushing water. Call is a dry “tzitzit.”