Black-lored Babbler

A strikingly-patterned medium-sized bird of palm swamps. Bright rufous upperparts and tail contrast with black-and-white streaked head and underparts. Found only in Moriche palm stands at rainforest edge or in swampy savanna regions. Usually in pairs that masterfully evade detection by slinking through the leaves and bases of palm fronds, which are probed for insect prey. Does not join mixed-species flocks. Best detected by voice: distinctive song is a rapid series of piping whistles, dropping slightly in pitch at end. Plumage pattern is similar to many woodcreepers, but none have such bold streaking, and most are unlikely to be found in Moriche palm stands.

A medium-sized honeyeater of mid-mountain oak forest and adjacent secondary areas. Upperparts olive, underparts gray with mottling and some streaking on the crown. Note distinctive white crescents beneath the eye and on the cheek. Solitary and inconspicuous in the upper levels of forest. No other honeyeaters have these white cresents on the face. Voice, an often repeated, whistled “chirrup!” or more musical, wrenlike “chii-pi-dup!”.

Large bicolored waterbird. Both sexes are iridescent purplish-green above with a white or buffy breast. Males have a large black lump on the bill, gray flanks and whitish belly, whereas females have a plain bill and gray flanks. Note all dark wings. Occurs throughout much of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. Found in freshwater rivers, lakes, and marshes where it is usually uncommon. Normally silent.