Yellow-bellied Whistler

Brown thrush with bold dark spots on the underparts, white spots in the wings, and black facial stripes below the eye. Occurs in pairs or singly, on or near the ground, in forest, forest edge, and gardens, mostly in the Wet Zone, but also locally in the Dry Zone. No other thrush on Sri Lanka shows distinct rows of white spots on the wings, and bold spotting below. Gives very high-pitched “sweeeee” call; song is a highly variable collection of rich, rising and falling, melodious whistles and warbles.

An unmistakable medium-sized songbird: dark olive-green with a black head, white collar, gray “whiskers” on the face, and black-tipped tail. Namesake yellow bill is stout and slightly curved, unlike the dark thin bills of most bulbuls. Often seen perched on telephone wires, treetops, and rooftops. Forages methodically in lowland and foothill forests, gardens, and brushlands (below 1500 m). Regularly gathers in flocks, but not a common component of mixed-species flocks. Song a series of three-syllabled warbles; calls include rising “chirrup” and series of “whit” notes.

Large antbird of bamboo stands in river edge forest. Males are dark gray with bright white wing bars and a darker blackish crest that is raised when agitated; females appear two-toned: orange above, with creamy white face and underparts. Both sexes have a red eye. Primarily found in bamboo, but occasionally found in other dense habitats, like cane thickets and heliconias along streams. Song is a descending, accelerating series of whistled notes, with a noticeable gap between the first note and the rest; “TEW … tew, tew, tew, tewtutututu”.