Striated Wren-Babbler
Ptilocichla mindanensis
A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest floor or dense undergrowth. Warm brown on the upperparts, crown, and sides, with fine buff streaks on the sides and blackish underparts heavily streaked white. Note the contrasting white throat, the black-and-white moustache stripes, and the white stripe from above the eye to the back of the head. Unmistakable in range. Voice includes a variety of medium-pitched whistles, including repeated piping, downslurred notes, plus complex jumbled songs and imitations of other bird species.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ptilocichla mindanensis
- Authority
- (Blasius, W, 1890)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Ptilocichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Narcondam Hornbill
Rhyticeros narcondami
A small hornbill with a black body, a white tail, and a strong pale bill with a flat, grooved casque on top. The male has a rust-colored head and breast, while the female’s head and breast are black. Found only on Narcondam island. Feeds on berries and fruits in tall trees. Calls include short, wavering notes with a somewhat nasal quality, as well as barks and grunts.
Yellow-wattled Lapwing
Vanellus malabaricus
Elegantly long-winged brown lapwing. Breeding adult has clean black cap, bright yellow facial wattles, and a white belly. Non-breeding adults and juveniles are more mottled overall and lack a solid black cap. Note contrasting wing and tail pattern when in flight. Prefers dry open areas, often well away from water. Gives a loud rasping tern-like call and a loud “cheeeee’it” in alarm; generally not as noisy as other lapwings.
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix leucotis
A small, compact finch-like sociable lark that is both resident and nomadic, although movements are poorly understood. The sexes differ in plumage: the distinctive male has a rich chestnut back and wings and a black head with bold white circular ear-patches; the streaky female is variable depending on geographic range, but always has a dark belly patch. Flocks of up to 50 birds (often mixed with Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark in NE Africa) can appear in open grassland and arid savanna, preferring recently burned turf, open fields, and gravel plains. They shuffle along in bare patches foraging for seeds and insects.
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