Indian Yellow Tit

Machlolophus aplonotus

The only crested tit in most of its range. Black front with yellow cheek and yellow eyebrow. Yellowish-green upperparts, white-spotted wings, and yellow-and-black underparts. Females and juveniles are duller, with shorter crests, central stripe thinner and incomplete, and yellowish parts becoming dull white. A bird of the hills, it is most abundant between 500 meters and 1800 meters of elevation, but rarely descends to lower elevations. Seen in pairs or family groups, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks in the non-breeding season. Forages in the canopy, emitting loud whistles and harsh chatters.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Machlolophus aplonotus
Authority
(Blyth, 1847)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paridae
Genus
Machlolophus

Photos

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Velvet-browed Brilliant

Velvet-browed Brilliant

Heliodoxa xanthogonys

Large, dark hummingbird. Common in tepui highlands. Male is mostly shining green, especially on the throat, breast, and forehead; female is white below with extensive green spotting. Both sexes have conspicuous white spot behind eye. Occurs in a wide variety of habitats including tall forest, edge, and open scrub at middle and high elevations (above 800 m) in tepui region. Feeds on nectar and defends patches of flowers from other hummingbirds. Gives loud, sharp chip note while foraging. No other large, green hummingbird occurs in its limited range.

Great Skua

Great Skua

Stercorarius skua

Powerful dark brown seabird, resembles a dark, heavily built immature gull. Note eye-catching white flashes in the primaries when in flight. Adults have distinct pale mottling on the upperparts, which serves to separate them from adults of the very similar South Polar Skua. Juveniles are more uniformly colored, with warm-colored and largely unmarked underparts; note bulkier build and more powerful flight than Pomarine Jaeger. Breeds locally on moorland of islands and coasts in northern Europe, where aggressive near nests. Otherwise lives at sea, but may be seen from shore during windy conditions during migration periods. Feeds by pirating gulls and other seabirds, also by scavenging at fishing boats.

White-thighed Swallow

White-thighed Swallow

Atticora tibialis

Small dark brown swallow found in lowlands and foothills. Namesake white thighs are very difficult to see; instead focus on the overall darkness with little contrast. Rump is slightly paler but does not stand out nearly as much as on Southern Rough-winged Swallow. Small flocks are usually found near forest, though sometimes found feeding over adjacent open areas.

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