Scaly Spurfowl

A fairly small bird of montane forest on Mindanao. Olive on the upperparts, darker in the wing and tail, with a blackish mask, dingy yellow underparts, and a pale gray throat. Usually found in mixed-species flocks with Cinnamon Ibon, Mountain White-eye, and Black-and-cinnamon Fantail. Similar to Yellow-bellied Whistler, but usually found at higher elevations, and has a thinner bill and dark mask. Gives a musical whistle and also a harsh grating call.

A distinctive ashy-gray starling with a conspicuous, bulbous pale bill and fine red flecks on the rump. Juvenile browner, with orange coloring to rump and paler bill. Highly gregarious and vocal, often observed in flocks of dozens, frequenting the canopy. A species of lowlands and hills, preferring open woodlands and forest edge, particularly favoring tall dead trees, where they nest communally in cavities. Restricted to Sulawesi and nearby islands. Vociferous, regularly uttering “chirup” calls, typically as a large, noisy group.

Large, ubiquitous yellow-bellied flycatcher found throughout most of Middle and South America, though tends to be uncommon at the far northern end of its range in the U.S. A classic “telephone wire” bird along roadsides and in towns. Prefers open areas with some trees and water. Most abundant in lowlands and foothills, but ventures up to over 3,000m in some parts of range. Listen for sharp, high-pitched twitters. Nearly identical to Couch’s Kingbird, which overlaps from Texas to Belize; best separated by voice. Larger and longer-billed than Western and Cassin’s Kingbird; also note paler brownish tail. Also very similar to White-throated (longer, forked tail) and Snowy-throated (dark mask) Kingbirds in some parts of South America.