Rifleman

A chunky, grayish-brown waxbill with a plain back, boldly barred and scalloped underparts, and a white-tipped outer tail. The head and throat of the male are characteristically red, while the female is uniform gray-brown. Pairs breed in arid thorn scrub, but in the non-breeding season they flock and become nomadic and irruptive, also occupying grassland, broadleaf woodland, and cultivation. The call is a sparrow-like dry chipping. The female Cut-throat looks similar to the larger female Red-headed Finch, but its barred (not plain) head and lack of a white-tipped outer tail differentiate it.

Typical nuthatch; small bird with a wedge-shaped head, usually seen clambering around on trees. Gray above and white below, with a thin black line extending from the bill base to the shoulder. Deep rust red on the flanks and red-edged scaling under the tail serve to distinguish this otherwise plain species from similar nuthatches. Active and social, often following mixed flocks. Inhabits both broadleaf and coniferous forests in foothill and submontane areas. Listen for its song, a loud ringing series of trills. Calls include nasal caws, a bright-sounding “pewpewpew,” and high-pitched chittering.

Small, shy, and poorly understood, this reed warbler breeds in the remote marshlands of northeastern China and Russia and winters in drier, grassier habitats in Southeast Asia. Warm brown overall with a clean-cut whitish brow and throat; brow extends well behind the eye, unlike in Blunt-winged Warbler. Very similar to extralimital Paddyfield Warbler, but Paddyfield shows dark-tipped lower mandible, duller brown tones overall, and a dirtier brow stripe with a distinctive pinch just before the eye, after which it fades out; Manchurian’s brow broadens behind the eye instead. Oriental Reed Warbler much larger, with a weaker head pattern. Rambling jumbled song consists of high-pitched warbling notes and sharp clicks and rattles; more pleasant-sounding than that of Oriental Reed Warbler.