Indochinese Cuckooshrike
Lalage polioptera
Plain gray cuckooshrike with relatively little contrast overall. Male is gray with darker wingtips and a white vent. Female is paler gray with thinly barred underparts. Can be mistaken for Black-winged Cuckooshrike, of which both resident and migratory subspecies are within the range of Indochinese. Note Black-winged’s darker overall plumage, much fainter barring on the female’s underside, and more evenly spaced white spots on the black undertail (Indochinese’s white spots are all clustered together into a cohesive white blob). Inhabits open forests, particularly dry deciduous forests, as well as forest edges and gardens. Gives squeaky yelps, often heard when flying over in small flocks. Gives a descending series of high-pitched whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lalage polioptera
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1878)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Lalage
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Buff-throated Warbling Finch
Microspingus lateralis
Medium-sized gray and orange finch from montane forests, including Araucaria forests. Note the black and pale eyebrow. Gray above with a buff throat and breast turning cinnamon on the sides with a white patch on the center of the belly. The call is a fast monotonous repetition of “tseep” notes.
Blackish Rail
Pardirallus nigricans
Medium-sized marsh bird, plump and chickenlike. Slaty gray below and brown above. Note bright red legs and long greenish-yellow bill. Most similar to Plumbeous Rail but lacks red on base of bill. Found in marshy habitats including pastures and rice fields. Secretive but sometimes seen feeding at the edge of dense grasses; flicks tail when it walks. More often heard than seen: listen for loud, grating squeals.
Forest Bittern
Zonerodius heliosylus
A large, shy bird of forest streams in the lowlands and foothills. Strong barring apart from white belly. Note the dagger-shaped bill with a broad base, striking yellow eyes and yellow legs. Solitary and feeds on small fish and crustaceans in streams. Flies up and perches in trees when flushed. Similar to the juvenile Rufous Night-Heron but found in more forested environments and has barring rather than streaks and spots. Normally silent.
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