Gray-sided Scimitar-Babbler

A distinctive big-billed bird that is entirely deep purple in color except for a conspicuous sky-blue cap and rump. Juvenile has a duller cap and browner underparts. Sits upright. Prefers open country near wooded and forested areas, where it is most often seen perched high on prominent dead branches, usually singly or in pairs. Occurs in both lowlands and foothills. Gives a harsh, dry grating call, “ka-ka-ka-ka…”, and sometimes also a single “chowwEER.”

Medium-sized warbler, light olive-brown above and yellowish below. Distinctive features include longish, daggerlike bill, long primary projection in the wings, and square tail. Told from similar Melodious Warbler by usually conspicuous pale wing panel, longer wings, and marginally shorter bill. Usually difficult to see when singing except during song flights, when long wings are apparent. Found in tall forest with oaks and birch, mixed forest, gardens, and parks. Song is fast, loud, and melodious with lots of mimicry.

An unusual and colorful rainforest bulbul. The upperparts are dark olive-green and the underparts yellow. Note the bright yellow patch between the bill, the brown eye, and the yellow spots on the tail corners. Found in the understory of rainforest and lush secondary habitat. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks and follows ant swarms. Similar to Red-tailed Bristlebill, but easily separated by the green tail and the yellow spot on the face. The calls are chirpy notes typical of bulbuls, and the song is a variable descending series of melancholy whistles.