Straw-headed Bulbul

Fairly small, stout black-and-white woodpecker with buffy underparts. Male is brightly marked with a flaming orange patch on the neck, a crimson crown, and a dull orange vent. Also note the red chest patch bordered with a black stripe. Females are duller, but sometimes have a paler orange neck and breast patch. Similar in coloration to Darjeeling and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, but Crimson-breasted is noticeably smaller and stouter. Inhabits mid- to high-altitude broadleaf forests. Gives a loud “chik!”, as well as a descending rattle.

Small, shy, and poorly understood, this reed warbler breeds in the remote marshlands of northeastern China and Russia and winters in drier, grassier habitats in Southeast Asia. Warm brown overall with a clean-cut whitish brow and throat; brow extends well behind the eye, unlike in Blunt-winged Warbler. Very similar to extralimital Paddyfield Warbler, but Paddyfield shows dark-tipped lower mandible, duller brown tones overall, and a dirtier brow stripe with a distinctive pinch just before the eye, after which it fades out; Manchurian’s brow broadens behind the eye instead. Oriental Reed Warbler much larger, with a weaker head pattern. Rambling jumbled song consists of high-pitched warbling notes and sharp clicks and rattles; more pleasant-sounding than that of Oriental Reed Warbler.

Big, dark pigeon with black-and-white slashes on the back of the head. The feet, bill, and eye-ring are bright yellow, but the bird looks plain in flight. Found on the Comoro Islands in the canopy of moist forest, secondary habitat, and plantations. Most common at higher elevations. Common vocalization is a growling call, followed by several low hoots. Could be mistaken for Madagascar Turtle-Dove, but dwells in the canopy, is larger, has yellow bare parts, and doesn’t show pale corners to the tail in flight.