Andean Slaty Thrush

Restricted to montane and foothill broadleaf forests between 500 and 2000 meters in the Batak Highlands of northern Sumatra. Forages in dense vegetation on the forest floor, often pairs, but also singly and in small groups. More easily heard than seen; listen for its song, a rapid and seemingly endless series of steadily rising hooting whistles. Pairs often duet. If seen, note the bright white cheek patch, black head, and black-and-brown-striped body; also note the bright red patch of bare skin around the eye, and curved black-and-white streaks running down the sides. Vocalizations and appearance similar to Sumatran Partridge, but separated by range and present species’ warm brown breast and more extensive white on the face.

Sparrowlike ground dweller; crouches low to the ground and walks with pattering footsteps. Breeding male is a unique deep yellow-orange with black-and-white head pattern. Females and nonbreeding birds are more subtle but typically buffier than other longspurs. Also look for long wingtips, thin white eyering, and blurry streaks below. Breeds on Arctic tundra. In winter, look for small flocks in fields with short grass and exposed soil. Not found in mixed flocks. Rattle call similar to Lapland Longspur.

Common tanager, found in a variety of forest habitats. Usually seen from below, in which case it is best identified by uniform dark underparts with rufous lower belly and undertail coverts, and active behavior. The shining white rump can be seen from most angles on perched birds, even when high overhead. Found in tall rainforest, shorter-stature forests on sandy soils, and in disturbed areas. Groups move rapidly through treetops, usually with other species of small tanagers, feeding on fruit. Calls are indistinct chips, often given in rapid series in flight.