Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise

Brown bulbul with a sparse, wispy crest. Darker above and paler below. Grayish face, thick black bill, and plain coloration make this a readily identifiable species, albeit an unremarkable one. Gives a sweet, quiet warble: “chee-wee’li’li’wee”. Primarily a lowland species, but ascends into hill forest in some areas. Found in mature forest, forest edges, and tall secondary growth. Often joins other species in mixed flocks, usually at mid-level.

This is the only montane laughingthrush in its range and hence unmistakable. It has dull olive-brown upperparts, a grey-streaked white breast, and a rufous-chestnut lower breast and belly. The most striking characteristic is the white eyebrow, flaring in front of the eye over a dark eye-line. Found in stunted montane forests, tea estates, and wooded second growth, in pairs or noisy flocks, producing a melodious “pe-kee-ke” song and several other chatters intermingled with musical notes. Heard more often than seen; its songs and calls are usually the first indication of its presence. 

Large, lanky blackbird with rounded crown and long tail. Males have ridiculously long tails, almost as long as their body, often held in a V-shape like the keel of boat. Males are glossy black. Females are brown, with subtle face pattern. Eye color ranges from brown along western Gulf Coast to yellow on Atlantic Coast. Strictly coastal, except in Florida where they occur inland (often around human development). Overlaps with similar Great-tailed Grackle on Texas coast, but occurs more strictly in coastal saltmarshes and has dark eye (not pale).