Tibetan Babax

A sometimes secretive and sometimes bold resident of many habitats. Overall rather dull colored, but highly vocal. It is similar in shape and size to Scaly-breasted Thrasher and Bahama Mockingbird; told from both by its large pale bill. Told from Scaly-breasted Thrasher by its streaked, not barred underparts. Distinguished from the Bahama Mockingbird by its brown plumage and heavier streaking below. Song is a series of slowly given whistled notes with one to three phrases. Calls are varied, including high thin whistles, brief chirps, and harsh or guttural scolds.

Smaller than all the gulls, with thinner and more pointed bill. Distinguished from other terns by pale whitish wings and orange-based bill in summer, and isolated black ear patch in winter. Forages by circling and hovering over bays, ponds, and lakes, then dropping to snatch fish. Often rests on sandbars, piers, and other structures with other gull and tern species. Snappy, quick wingbeats and acrobatic in flight.

Small, delicate pallid sparrow. Male has pale gray upperparts, a black bib, black lines in front of the eyes (lores), sandy underparts, and large white wing patches. Female is pale sandy overall with paler underparts. Found in sandy arid habitats, desert scrub, plantations, oases, and tamarisk scrub. Call is a rather deep "churp."