Snow Mountain Quail

Synoicus monorthonyx

A huge quail of alpine grasslands. Plump, yellow bill and legs, black bars and white streaks on the back. Female has distinctive, black-edged, white arrow marks on the chest whereas the male has a black barred chest with deep rufous throat and underparts. No other quails share the habitat, and the only thing that might cause confusion when flushed would be a woodcock or snipe which have long bills. Flushes in a loud whir of wings while giving a high squealing call.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Synoicus monorthonyx
Authority
(van Oort, 1910)
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Synoicus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Yellow-throated Bulbul

Yellow-throated Bulbul

Pycnonotus xantholaemus

Plain, pale brownish bulbul. Endemic to very specialized habitat in South India. Only found in hills with dry rocky scrub and boulders, co-occurring locally with the more widespread White-browed Bulbul throughout its range. Although both species have a yellow vent and can sound similar, Yellow-throated can be distinguished by its yellow head that contrasts with its whitish underparts. Usually occurring in pairs, it tends to rove along regular circuits, often perching on exposed rocks and boulders. Voice like White-browed’s, but more melodious and higher in pitch.

Brown-chested Martin

Brown-chested Martin

Progne tapera

Large swallow with distinctive brown band across chest. Chest band is typically sharply demarcated, but can look diffuse with some spotting down the center of the belly. Otherwise brown above and pale below. Similar in plumage to Bank Swallow but larger and lankier. Found in the lowlands, usually in open areas near water, either singly or in loose flocks.

Pallid Dove

Pallid Dove

Leptotila pallida

A rather plain medium-sized dove, mostly restricted to western Ecuador but also occurs in western Colombia and extreme northwestern Peru. Within range, the main confusion species is White-tipped Dove. Pallid Dove has notably darker and warmer brown upperparts that contrast more with the whitish underparts. Like other members of the genus, Pallid is typically found on the ground (or flushing up into the understory). It is most often seen walking on roads or trails, or flying across quickly. There are a few places where it visits feeders. Within its limited range, it is fairly common, but be careful to separate from the equally (or more) common White-tipped Dove. Listen for its low-pitched, single “hoo” call.

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