Pygmy Cupwing
Pnoepyga pusilla
Essentially a tiny brown tennis ball supported by tiny chopsticks. Dark brown above with densely packed black-and-white scaling on the underside. Gives the impression of a tailless rodent as it makes its way furtively through dense shrubbery and leaf litter. Can be quite vocal and is jarringly loud for its size, giving single well-spaced piercing whistles on different high pitches, and occasionally an accelerating, usually rising rapid series of whistles. Also gives a sharp chip.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pnoepyga pusilla
- Authority
- Hodgson, 1845
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pnoepygidae
- Genus
- Pnoepyga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red Avadavat
Amandava amandava
Strikingly pretty small finch. Males are largely red and covered in white spots with dark wings and tail. Females are gray with a rufous rump. Both sexes have a red beak. Gives a very musical song a high "teei" call. Found in grassy areas close to water and often near human habitation, particularly areas with wet rice paddies.
Asian Houbara
Chlamydotis macqueenii
A medium-to-large bustard; significantly smaller than Great Bustard, but larger than Little Bustard. Overall tones are rather pale sandy. The neck is white with a vertical black stripe, most prominent in adult males. Females are slightly smaller and slimmer than males. Very similar to African Houbara, separated mainly by range. Display of male is an amusing dance in long straight lines across open hills with white ornamental feathers covering its tilting head. Breeds in dry steppe and semi-desert with scattered shrubs. Eastern populations migratory. Normally mute.
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Widespread and abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms. Avoids dense woods. Flocks cluster in dense bushes, bustling around and chattering to one another. Males have smart black bibs, bright rufous napes, and stunningly patterned wings with brilliant buffs and browns. Underparts are pale pearly-gray. Females are plain brown with cute face and lighter eyebrow. Native to Eurasia; introduced to much of the rest of the world.
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