Plain-backed Pipit

An odd, thrush-like warbler; extremely shy and seldom seen as it lurks about in dense undergrowth. The largest grasshopper-warbler, with a distinctly robust appearance. Matte brown with pale brow, throat, and belly. Complete lack of streaking distinguishes this species from Middendorff’s and Pallas’s grasshopper-warblers; white throat and pale brow distinguish Gray’s from the much browner Pleske’s Warbler. Slightly warmer-colored Sakhalin Grasshopper-Warbler is extremely similar but has a whiter throat, a thicker brow, and more extensive brown on the underside.

A ground-feeding denizen found locally in wooded ravines and valleys with thick low vegetation. It somewhat resembles both Brown and Gray Tremblers in shape but it has bold white underparts and a dark red eye, which the tremblers lack. Like the tremblers, it tends to droop its wings, but does not often cock its tail. Most commonly heard call a long raspy note, often given in series.

A plain, miniscule cisticola of dry habitats. The cap and back of the neck are bright rufous, the back and tail are gray-brown, and the underparts are pale buff. The back can appear unstreaked or blurrily streaked. Found in dry thorn savanna and woodland. Within its range and habitat, easily identified by its tiny size and the bright rufous on the head. The song may recall a prinia’s, consisting of a rapid series of high-pitched “chi-du-lee” phrases.