Wailing Cisticola

Small pale parrot of inland Australia woodlands, often found in mulga and acacia scrubland. Gray-brown scaly upperparts set off by unique pastel pink underparts and blue underwing and rump. In flight, note also the blue outer upperwing (primary flight feathers and their coverts). Often observed coming to drink: flocks usually visit a favorite water hole at dawn and dusk. Feeds on the ground in small groups but sometimes in large flocks of 50 or more birds. Calls include piercing, high-pitched whistles and chattering.

Elegant large trogon with a black tail tipped with white below, and lacking a crest. Has golden-tinged green upperparts and breast and bright red belly; bill is yellow. Female has a gray bill, gray-brown lower breast, and white barred undertail with white tips. No overlap with other quetzal species, and larger than other trogons in range. Fairly common in tall mature cloud forest, often alone or in pairs but sometimes in groups at fruiting trees. Perches at medium to high levels in the forest. Song is a loud and melancholic series of “WHOOOou hoo hoou”; call is similar to that of Barred Forest-Falcon.

A medium-to-large bustard; significantly smaller than Great Bustard, but larger than Little Bustard. Overall tones are rather pale sandy. The neck is white with a vertical black stripe, most prominent in adult males. Females are slightly smaller and slimmer than males. Very similar to African Houbara, separated mainly by range. Display of male is an amusing dance in long straight lines across open hills with white ornamental feathers covering its tilting head. Breeds in dry steppe and semi-desert with scattered shrubs. Eastern populations migratory. Normally mute.