Hoary-throated Barwing

Actinodura nipalensis

The combination of this barwing’s pale throat and weak eye-arcs is unique. Found in hill forest with dense understory at approximately 1800-3400 meters of elevation; occasionally lower, especially during the winter. Forages in upper levels of forest, often with mixed-species flocks. Gives melancholy-sounding “wheew-wheew,” often followed by a short trill.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Actinodura nipalensis
Authority
(Hodgson, 1836)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Leiothrichidae
Genus
Actinodura

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Nannopterum auritum

Dark body with orange bare skin at the base of the bill. Breeding adults are all black. Immatures and nonbreeders have paler breast. Dives underwater to catch fish. Swims like a duck in between dives. Finds open perches to spread wings and dry feathers. Can be in large flocks or solo. Most widespread cormorant across U.S. and Canada; also most likely to be seen inland.

Great Thrush

Great Thrush

Turdus fuscater

True to its name, Great Thrush is noticeably large, almost recalling a jay rather than a thrush. Brown overall, varying across range from dark blackish to paler grayish-brown. Note orange bill and legs and yellow eyering (males only). Common and conspicuous in highlands from 2,000–4,000 m. Found in open habitats including forest edges, gardens, towns, and cities, where it is often bold and easy to see. Compare with Chiguanco Thrush, which overlaps in some areas. Great Thrush is larger, darker, and males have yellow eyering.

Masked Lapwing

Masked Lapwing

Vanellus miles

Noisy lapwing with a large yellow wattle across forehead and hanging over the bill. Two subspecies: southern “Black-shouldered” subspecies has a black shoulder band (not meeting in middle as on Banded Lapwing) and a larger black cap. Northern subspecies lacks black shoulder band and has a larger yellow wattle. Only “Black-shouldered” subspecies occurs in New Zealand. Abundant in most open country, being a common feature of urban parks, sporting fields, paddocks, riverbeds, wetlands, and coastal habitats.

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