Beijing Babbler

Rhopophilus pekinensis

Long-tailed brown bird with a white throat, streaked back, and rusty belly. Inhabits dry vegetation, ranging from scrub to tall grasses to reedbeds. Within its range, size and patterning distinguish it from other long-tailed brown birds, such as prinias. Forages on the ground and low in vegetation, often in small flocks. Wide repertoire; gives long whistles, squeaks, and repetitive bubbly calls.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Rhopophilus pekinensis
Authority
(Swinhoe, 1868)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Rhopophilidae
Genus
Rhopophilus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Sumatran Wren-Babbler

Sumatran Wren-Babbler

Napothera albostriata

With its long curved bill, this uncommon Sumatran mountain forest endemic is unique within its limited range. Forages alone or in pairs, often in dense undergrowth where it can be difficult to see; listen for its song, a well-spaced series of even, clipped whistles that sound like they should be coming from a small owl. If lucky enough to catch a glimpse, look for a streaky dark brown body, very short tail, and bright white throat.

Erect-crested Penguin

Erect-crested Penguin

Eudyptes sclateri

Medium-sized crested penguin, endemic to New Zealand. Note the distinct broad yellow eyebrow rising over the eye to form a stiff brush-like crest. Also look for pale blue skin at the base of the bill. A subantarctic breeder, with main colonies on Bounty and Antipodes Islands. Disperses widely at the end of breeding season. A small number molt on the east coast of the North and South Islands in the fall. Forms small groups at sea. Voice a low-pitched booming bray. Distinguished from Snares and Fiordland Penguins by pale white-blue skin at bill base and less “V-shaped” crest when seen head-on.

Western Striolated-Puffbird

Western Striolated-Puffbird

Nystalus obamai

Chunky, bull-headed puffbird of lowland and foothill rainforest east of the Andes to far western Brazil. Underparts are pale with dark, vertical streaks. Also note stout, yellowish bill, and brown cap and back. Very similar to Eastern Striolated-Puffbird (limited overlap in Brazil and possibly Bolivia), but has thicker streaks on underparts. Singles or pairs perch motionless for long periods high in the canopy; usually heard before seen. Typical song is a whistled “wip wip-whirrr?, whurrrr”, with the other member of the pair responding at slightly different pitch.

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