Chinese Grouse
Tetrastes sewerzowi
A stout, crested terrestrial bird of mountainous woodlands and the only grouse in its range. Brown overall, with densely patterned belly. Male has white-lined black throat, female a plain brown throat. Forages on the ground and in trees, eating buds and flowers from the lower and middle layers of trees, especially in spring. Well camouflaged and shy, often flushing explosively from thick undergrowth at close range.
Taxonomy
The black-breasted hazel grouse has two recognized subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Tetrastes sewerzowi
- Authority
- Przevalski, 1876
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Tetrastes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Pacific Baza
Aviceda subcristata
Conspicuous medium-sized hawk with broad paddle-shaped wings that pinch in close to the body. When perched it is easily distinguished from other species by small black crest on the back of gray head and enormous yellow eyes, prominent brown stripes on white belly. Often found in suburban areas. Crashes into foliage to snatch insect prey. Has distinctive "mee-choo" call.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Elaenia flavogaster
Rather bulky small flycatcher, widespread in tropical lowlands. Fairly common in overgrown brushy clearings, savannas, and other semi-open areas with scattered bushes. Looks like many other small flycatchers, and where multiple species of elaenias occur it is often not possible to identify birds to species. On Yellow-bellied, note its spiky, white-based crest (rarely held flattened), burry drawled call, whitish wingbars, and pale yellow belly; does not flick its wings or tail.
Brown Teal
Anas chlorotis
Largest of the three endemic New Zealand teal species. Both sexes are primarily dark brown in color. Male in breeding plumage has green iridescence on head. Females and juveniles are a duller dark mottled brown. Both sexes show conspicuous white eye-ring around a dark brown eye. Mostly restricted to northern North Island (Northland, Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel Peninsula). Successfully bred in captivity for reintroduction efforts across the country in predator controlled areas. Crepuscular to nocturnal, favoring margins of small streams with overhanging vegetation and even stock ponds for feeding and breeding. Distinguished from similar looking Gray Teal and vagrant Chestnut Teal by lack of red eye, and lack of obvious white patches on the upperwing.
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