Long-billed Rhabdornis
Rhabdornis grandis
A medium-sized, long-billed bird of foothill and montane forest in northern Luzon with a white throat and belly, a brown back, rufous wings and tail, a black mask with a thin white eyebrow above, a gray crown, and brown sides broadly streaked white. Similar to Stripe-sided Rhabdornis, but usually found at higher elevations, and crown is gray rather than streaked white. Voice includes a high-pitched “tsip!”
Identification
A medium-sized, long-billed bird with a white throat and belly, a brown back, rufous wings and tail, a black mask with a thin white eyebrow above, a gray crown, and brown sides broadly streaked white.
Taxonomy
Genus: Rhabdornis; Family: Sturnidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Rhabdornis grandis
- Authority
- Salomonsen, 1953
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Rhabdornis
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is tropical mid-elevation and high elevation montane forest. The IUCN lists it as a Least-concern species but despite this the population is still said to be declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
Medium-sized hawk with long tail and thin wings. Flies with wings held in a V-shape, low over open fields and marshes, listening for rodents lurking below. Distinctive foraging behavior and conspicuous white patch on rump in all plumages. Females and immatures are warm brown. Adult males gray above and whitish below with black wingtips.
Martens's Warbler
Phylloscopus omeiensis
A bright and attractive small warbler with many virtually identical relatives. Breeds in foothill and montane forests, where it favors areas with a dense understory. Descends into lower elevations in the winter, when it often moves around with mixed flocks. Bright green above and yellow below, with a gray-and-black-striped crown and a bright yellow eyering; note intermediately strong crown patterning and distinct yellow eyering, often weak but not broken above the eye. Song is a series of lively whistles and chirps uttered in discrete bursts.
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.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.