Buff-headed Coucal

Centropus milo

A large, long-tailed, thick-billed, uniquely patterned bird with dark blue wings, tail, and belly and creamy neck, chest, and head. Found in most habitats, most commonly in lowland forests. Often flushed from trackside vegetation. Otherwise inconspicuous, but regularly feeds on the ground. Unique within its range. Pairs give a back-and-forth “snoring” duet, ”urrrrh-uh,” but individuals give a range of barking and coughing noises.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Centropus milo
Authority
Gould, 1856
Order
Cuculiformes
Family
Cuculidae
Genus
Centropus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Mountain Chiffchaff

Mountain Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus sindianus

Very similar to Common Chiffchaff, but distinctly darker brown, and lacks any green or yellow tones including uppertail coverts and fringes to wing feathers. Note the brownish wash to underparts, especially the flanks, the rather contrasting whitish throat, and white eyebrow. Bill and legs distinctly black. Short primary projection. Breeds in forested mountains, valleys, and foothills, including low-stature mixed forest; winters in lower elevation scrub, including acacia and tamarisks. Call similar to Siberian Chiffchaff: a high-pitched, slightly downslurred "Piiu." Song similar to Common Chiffchaff but faster and less “organized.”

Greater Short-toed Lark

Greater Short-toed Lark

Calandrella brachydactyla

Small pale lark, usually seen foraging on the ground in open areas with scattered low vegetation, cultivated fields, or at roadsides. Keeps low to the ground, runs quickly. Short bill and rounded head; long tertial feathers largely hide the wings at rest. Dark patch at the neck sides and largely unstreaked belly distinctive in most plumages. Drifting, hovering song flight delivered with tail folded.

Little Rock-Thrush

Little Rock-Thrush

Monticola rufocinereus

A small rock-thrush with blue-gray upperparts and hood and an orange belly. The tail has a black-and-orange “T” pattern that is conspicuous in flight. Males and females vary slightly: males are cleaner blue-gray above, while females are more brownish. Found locally in a variety of habitats with a mix of rocks, trees, and bushes. Sometimes also on and around human structures. Similar to redstarts, but easily distinguished by the clean gray hood and the lack of black on the face. Also similar to male Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, but smaller, lacking white on the back, and with a more extensive gray hood. The quiet song consists of musical phrases that can be short or quite long. 

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