Chinese Blackbird
Turdus mandarinus
Large dark thrush of open forests, gardens, and farms; one of the more common urban birds throughout much of its extensive range. Frequently seen on lawns and fields away from cover, pulling up worms and other invertebrates. Both sexes dark with orange bills, the male black overall, the female dark brown. Sings beautifully from exposed perches throughout the day, a series of loud melodic notes that varies between individuals. Often gives a shrill shriek or a series of “wuk” notes when alarmed or agitated.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Turdus mandarinus
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Turdus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
It is typically monogamous, but some exceptions have been observed.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tawny-bellied Hermit
Phaethornis syrmatophorus
Large forest hummingbird with long decurved bill and long tail. Rich buffy belly and rump, obvious pale eyebrow and mustache stripe. Elongated central tail feathers with white tips, like many other large hermits. Found in subtropical forest understory in the Andes from Colombia to northern Peru, usually from 1,500–2,300 m. Higher elevation than other hermits. Usually flies by quickly in the dark forest understory uttering a piercing “tseet!” call, occasionally stopping to feed at flowers, especially Heliconia. Rarely visits feeders.
Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill
Ocyceros gingalensis
Small hornbill with gray upperside and whitish underparts. Bill has no casque, and is pale in males, dark in females. In flight displays white outer tail and wingtips. Found in pairs and groups in forest and woodland, preferring drier areas. The only other hornbill in range, the larger Malabar Pied Hornbill, is black-and-white, and has a large casque on its bill. Song is an accelerating “kok-kok-kok” ending in a cackle; call a harsh “waa”.
Minas Gerais Tyrannulet
Phylloscartes roquettei
Small flycatcher with a long tail. Olive-green above, yellowish below, with two yellow wingbars. Look for the rusty lores, but these may be difficult to see. An inhabitant of dry forests, including gallery forest and tall riverine scrub, where it forages at higher levels and only rarely accompanies mixed-species flocks. The song is a series of low rattling notes.
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