Bay-ringed Tyrannulet

Phylloscartes sylviolus

Small flycatcher with a long slender tail, which is often held cocked. Note the diagnostic cinnamon patches around the eyes contrasting with a green head, pale eye, and yellow throat. Otherwise the upperparts are a bright olive-green and the underparts are pale. Found in the canopy in the borders and interiors of humid forests, often accompanying mixed-species flocks. The song is a fast descending “djeee-djeee.”

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Phylloscartes sylviolus
Authority
(Cabanis & Heine, 1860)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Phylloscartes

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Blackish-gray Antshrike

Blackish-gray Antshrike

Thamnophilus nigrocinereus

A fairly large antshrike of riparian zones with lots of regional variation in plumage. Males are dark gray above, paler below, with white wing bars (not spots); the northwest subspecies is gray with a black cap. Females are rusty with a dark-gray hood. Found in seasonally flooded forests, river island forests, and mangroves. Forages close to the ground and sometimes accompanies mixed-species flocks. The song is an accelerating series of whistled descending notes.

Mascarene Swiftlet

Mascarene Swiftlet

Aerodramus francicus

Small gray swift with a slightly paler rump and belly. Flight is fast but erratic, with the wings pushed forward. Nests in caves, but can be seen in flight over all habitats on the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. The calls include high-pitched twitters and echolocation clicks. Usually easy to identify, as it is the only resident swift on the Mascarenes. Occurs alongside Mascarene Martin, but distinguished by the gray rather than brown overall coloration, unstreaked underparts, and more erratic flight style. 

Asir Magpie

Asir Magpie

Pica asirensis

A crow-like bird with a long, narrow tail. Flashy black-and-white pattern distinctive within range. An endangered species, this is a rare but conspicuous bird of juniper forest and riverine scrub between 2200–3000m in the Asir massif of southwestern Saudia Arabia, where it typically moves in pairs and small family groups. Very vocal, often giving loud querulous grating “kuaynk-kuaynk” calls and high-pitched woodpecker-like “keenk” notes. Does not overlap in range with Eurasian Magpie, but Asir has less white in the plumage, a larger bill, and a shorter tail.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.