Blue-and-gold Tanager

Small brownish-gray warbler with a grayer head and broad dark mask that sets off the white throat. Lacks bright rusty wing patch of Greater Whitethroat. Varies subtly across wide range. Found in scrubby habitats, especially dense hedges with thorny bushes and trees. Skulking and difficult to see well; often located by scratchy chortling song that ends with a distinctive loud rattle. Gives dry ticking calls.

While highly distinctive, this bulbul can be irruptive and moves in flocks over a wide range; it is thus infrequently encountered. Both sexes are dark with white shoulder patches; female is slightly browner. Moves through lowland and foothill evergreen forest and forest edge. Forages throughout all forest levels, but most common in upper levels, where it often gathers in the crowns of fruiting trees. Occasionally gives abrupt metallic ‘ching!’

Uncommon, sandy-colored babbler of dry scrubby and weedy areas, often on hill- and mountain-sides. Readily distinguished from other brown birds in its range by its long tail, thickset appearance, pale brow, and faint dark streaking on the back. Looks like a faded version of the closely related Beijing Babbler (no range overlap). Forages on or close to the ground, often in small flocks. Varied repertoire includes a loud jumbled series of bright warbling calls, as well as bulbul-like chattering and high rattling twittering. Restricted to northwestern China.