Writhed Hornbill

Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus

A large bird of lowland forest on Mindanao and neighboring islands. Mostly black with a black-tipped white tail, a red casque and bill with ridges on the lower base, and orange bare skin around the eye and chin pouch. Male has an orange chest and neck and a white head. Female has a black neck and head. Similar to Rufous Hornbill, but has a black-tipped tail. Also similar to Mindanao Hornbill, but larger, with a red bill. Voice is a loud, nasal “waag!”

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Rhabdotorrhinus leucocephalus
Authority
(Vieillot, 1816)
Order
Bucerotiformes
Family
Bucerotidae
Genus
Rhabdotorrhinus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Leucosticte tephrocotis

The most widespread rosy-finch. Body is the color of milk chocolate. Look for pink highlights in the wings, tail and belly. Several different populations; some have gray wrapping around the back of the head only above the eye, others have entirely gray cheek. Breeds at the highest elevations; descends to lower elevations in winter. Often in mixed flocks in winter with other rosy-finches. Feeds on seeds and insects. Look for them foraging on alpine snowfields. Visits feeders, primarily in winter.

Gartered Trogon

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Relatively small and compact yellow-bellied trogon of tropical lowland forest, mainly in humid areas. Perches at mid to upper levels, often high in canopy. Male has yellow eyering, female has broken white eyering; both sexes have narrow black-and-white barring on underside of tail. Female Gartered has white barring on its closed wings which female Black-headed Trogon lacks. Digs its nest in large arboreal wasp nests. Used to be known as Violaceous Trogon.

Streaked Reed Warbler

Streaked Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus sorghophilus

A mysterious and secretive reed warbler; formerly fairly common but now increasingly rare and possibly near extinction. The only Asian reed warbler with a streaked crown and back. Adults bear a passing resemblance to the much more common Black-browed Reed Warbler but have prominent striping all along the back and crown, a less contrasting brow pattern, and are noticeably paler in color. Recorded in marshes and wet fields on passage and during the winter, but breeding grounds remain unknown. Gives a rattling, grating song akin to a Oriental Reed Warbler, but reportedly quieter.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.