Lesser Cuckooshrike
Lalage fimbriata
Medium-sized gray bird (small for a cuckooshrike) with considerable geographic variation. Male averages darkest on the wings, throat, and breast, contrasting more heavily with the rest of the plumage than in the fairly uniform-looking male Indochinese Cuckooshrike. Female is pale gray with fine barring on the underparts. Undertail is black with white-tipped feathers concentrated at the end of the tail; does not appear as evenly graduated as in the larger Black-winged Cuckooshrike, and is less extensively white-tailed than Indochinese Cuckooshrike. Forages in the upper levels of forests and forest edge in lowland and hilly areas, often as part of mixed-species flocks. Song begins with a few clear tinkling notes, then transitions into a loud, insistent “jeh, jeh, jeh, jeh”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lalage fimbriata
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1824)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Lalage
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lineated Woodpecker
Dryocopus lineatus
Large ‘woody woodpecker’ of tropical forest in lowlands and foothills. Also ranges into semi-open areas with tall trees, mangroves, and other lightly wooded habitats. The tufted red crest and black face distinguish it from adult Pale-billed Woodpecker, which often occurs in the same areas. Also note that the white ‘braces’ on the back of Lineated are widely spaced, unlike Pale-billed. Laughing call suggests a flicker, and very unlike calls of Pale-billed.
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Unique, chunky finch. Note the massive bill (steely gray in summer, pinkish in winter) and blue-gray hindneck, like a shawl on an orangey head. Broad white tail tip and white wing band show mainly in flight. Despite distinctive appearance, shy and easily overlooked. Favors mixed and deciduous mature woodland, especially with beech, oak, and hornbeam, where tends to feed and perch quietly, high in the canopy. Also feeds on the ground in autumn and winter, sometimes forming single-species flocks. Gives high-pitched “tsik!” and lower ticking calls.
Greater Swamp Warbler
Acrocephalus rufescens
Large, nondescript, long-tailed, long-billed wetland warbler. Primary habitat is papyrus swamp, though sometimes uses other types of reedbeds and wet scrub. Quite shy and secretive. Sings frequently, a slow and low-pitched mix of both rasping notes and more musical notes that ends in a trill. Similar to Lesser Swamp Warbler, but larger and longer-billed, lacking a pale eye-stripe. Also similar to Great Reed Warbler, but shorter-winged, darker, and grayer, without an eye-stripe.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.