Hodgson's Redstart

Bright yellowish leaf warbler of forest canopy. Like Blyth’s and Claudia’s leaf warblers, Hartert’s has the habit of flicking its wings alternately; compare to Kloss’s and Davison’s leaf warblers, which flick both wings at the same time. Bright olive above with a broad yellow brow and yellow-suffused white belly. Crown stripe and broad, orange-based bill distinguish this species from the similarly sized and shaped Arctic Warbler and Pale-legged Leaf Warbler. Breeds in foothill and submontane broadleaf forests, winters in various wooded habitats at lower elevations, including forest edge. Song is a sweet, high-pitched “wit-wichichew-wichichew-wichichew.” Call is a quiet “wit” or “wichichew.”

Brightly-colored swallow with a deeply forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, and an incomplete orange collar. Color of underparts varies geographically from pale whitish to rufous, with sparse or no streaking. Juveniles average paler and lack extensive orangish tones; may resemble house-martins but note deeply forked tail. Builds mud nests on rocks as well as human structures, and forages over a wide variety of open habitats. Frequently gives a short, sparrow-like “twi’wit.” Very similar to European Red-rumped Swallow, but with little or no streaking below.

Striking marsh bird, medium-sized with exceptionally long toes. In some regions adult is entirely black; other populations more similar to Northern Jacana with rufous upperparts. Always has red forehead and wattle at base of bill. Juveniles very similar to Northern Jacana: bronzy-brown above with white underparts and eyebrow; note yellow bill and long toes to separate from other marsh birds. All ages show yellow wings in flight. Found in wetlands, usually with a combination of grasses and lily pads.