Black Grasswren

Small, inconspicuous dove of savannas and open grassland with scattered low bushes and palmettos; also found locally in cane fields and pastures. Usually found in pairs or small groups, sometimes associating with other ground doves. Both sexes are rather plain overall, with diagnostic purple marks on the back, although the color is often hard to see. The female can be easily confused with the much commoner Ruddy Ground Dove, which also has a plain breast, but the Ruddy Ground Dove is larger and warmer brown overall; also note vocal differences.

Small, shy sandgrouse of harsh deserts. Beautifully patterned all over with fine black stripes. Male has black-and-white forehead pattern and broad sandy and black horizontal bars across his breast. Both sexes have a pale yellowish eyering. Rather compact with a short rear. Inhabits stony, mountainous deserts. Unlike most other sandgrouse, drinks at dusk. In flight utters odd, urgent squeaks.

Sociable little yellowish bird. Very similar in appearance to other white-eyes; note the yellow band running down the center of the breast and belly, connecting the throat with the vent. In areas of overlap with similar-looking subspecies of Indian and Swinhoe’s White-eye, identification may be very difficult; best separated by range and habitat. Roves about in active, noisy flocks in hill and submontane forests and forest edges. Gives a sweet, buzzy “tsee, tsee”, as well as higher, more metallic short whistles.