Crested Bunting
Emberiza lathami
Spiky upright crest distinguishes this large bunting from similar species. Male is glossy black with bright chestnut wings. Female is streaky dirt-brown with slightly duller wings. A hill specialist, often found on rocky, bushy hillsides and terraced fields. Generally in pairs or small flocks. Short song begins with a few buzzy notes and ends with mellow whistling. Call is hard “chik.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Emberiza lathami
- Authority
- Gray, JE, 1831
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Emberizidae
- Genus
- Emberiza
Range and habitat
It is found from the Himalayas eastwards to highland areas of Southeast Asia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.
- Breeding range
- OR : montane grass and scrub of s Asia to e China: ne Pakistan and far w, c India to c, ec China and s through n se Asia
- Non-breeding range
- to lower elevations grass, cultivation with short-range southward movement
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chattering Lory
Lorius garrulus
A spectacular red parrot with forest-green wings, thighs, and tail tip. Tail is short and rounded. Most show a yellow patch on the back, but this is absent in the Halmahera form. Adults have a mainly red bill, brownish in immatures. Pairs inhabit forest and edge in lowlands and foothills, but are most abundant in hills. Distinguished from Moluccan King-Parrot by short, rounded tail and red back, and from Violet-necked Lory by lack of extensive dark areas on body. Gives a high-pitched “weee-ooo,” harsh “kraa” notes, and screeches.
Brown-breasted Pygmy-Tyrant
Hemitriccus obsoletus
Tiny flycatcher found in the understory of forests with bamboo. Plain olive-brown above and pale buff below. Note the buff spot in front of the eye. The similar Drab-breasted Pygmy-Tyrant has a white (not buff) spot in front of the eye and occurs at lower elevations than the Brown-breasted Pygmy-Tyrant. The song is series of “tic-tic-tic” notes.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Ficedula tricolor
Male is unique dark gray-blue above with a white throat, thin black chinstrap, and white undersides and tail base (often flashed when in flight). Female is plainer, dark brown above and lighter tan brown below, with a rufous-tinged tail; weak contrast and overall dark coloration distinguish her from other brown female flycatchers. Breeds in high-altitude and foothill forests and descends downhill to winter in scrubby areas, often in second growth. Often forages close to the ground. Song consists of an endless series of high, whistled “chee-chee-wit!”, often given from a low, hidden perch. Also gives hard, resonant “tak” notes.
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