Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis
Distinguished-looking small songbird with a brown mohawk of a crest. Brown above and white below with an orange nape and a small black mustache stripe. Slender white eye crescents give it a “spectacled” appearance on top of a whiskered one. Like other yuhinas, a very social bird, often seen foraging in the lower and middle levels of hilly broadleaf forests, sometimes with other species. Calls are usually an explosive pair or triad of notes that can be likened to “pee-bee!” or “pee-ah-bee!”
Identification
The whiskered yuhina (Yuhina flavicollis) is a bird species in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. Its range extends across the Himalayan forests in northern India to northeast Indian states, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and in the east to Indochina including Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The whiskered yuhina is sometimes found in mixed hunting parties with other yuhina and fulvetta species, but it has also been reported to not associate with mixed hunting parties in some areas. It is described as one of the commonest yuhinas in the Himalayas, although it is relatively uncommon to rare at low elevations. It prefers relatively undisturbed closed canopy cover. It is one among several other birds hunted by livestock herders in Northeast India.
Taxonomy
Genus: Yuhina; Family: Zosteropidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Yuhina flavicollis
- Authority
- Hodgson, 1836
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Yuhina
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Migration pattern: Vertical migration.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sharp-tailed Ibis
Cercibis oxycerca
A medium-sized wading bird, mostly black with a red bill and legs. Relatively long tail projection imparts a long-bodied appearance which is enhanced by its short legs. At close range, note bare red throat and orbital skin. Occurs in open wetlands and seasonally flooded savannas, usually in pairs or small groups, probing in mud, shallow water, or soft ground for invertebrates and fish. Unusual, far-carrying call is a single, horn-like note, often given in duet by pairs, with one higher-pitched than the other; the overall effect is like the braying of a donkey. Larger and longer-tailed than Bare-faced Ibis, much more vocal, and does not occur in large groups.
Wood Lark
Lullula arborea
Brown and streaky with a short bushy crest; black-and-white mark at bend of wing diagnostic but difficult to see. Rather chunky, and shorter tailed than Eurasian Skylark. White tail corners evident in flight but lacks Skylark’s white outer tail feathers and white trailing edge to wings. Inhabits sandy heathland, old farmland, and clearings in mixed and coniferous woodland. Inconspicuous, rather shy, and easily overlooked, often not seen until flushed up from the ground. Like many larks, often best detected by voice: listen for its lovely song, an accelerating series of fluid notes. Call is a short and musical “tu’lee” or “tu’li’lee.”
Gray-olive Greenbul
Phyllastrephus cerviniventris
Fairly small and typically plain greenbul. The pale bill and legs are unusual. Also note the pale whitish or orangish eye. Found in the thick undergrowth and mid-story of forest. Usually in small, vocal groups. The distinctive call is an accelerating series of nasal barking notes. Similar to several other greenbul species, but separated by the pale bill and legs. Further separated from Cabanis’s Greenbul by the lack of yellowish tones on the underparts.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.