Plain White-eye

An unusual shorebird that is so distinctive that it has been placed in its own family. The back is blue-gray and the underparts salmon; the head and breast are boldly marked with black and white. Immatures are duller, but still distinctive. In flight, shows a striking pattern of black and white in the outer wing. Found mostly on sandbars in slow-flowing rivers, rarely in other wetland habitats. The call is a “tchep” that is often repeated, especially in flight.

A large, long-tailed, slate-colored dove with a conspicuous white face. Also note the red eye-ring and the metallic green shawl on the sides of the neck. Juvenile duller, with gray face. Usually encountered singly or in pairs, in the upper levels of trees in forests and forest edges, as well as more patchy, open wooded areas. Unique within its restricted range. Song is usually a series of six notes: “woo-ooo-woop-woop-woop” sometimes preceded by soft, short “pip-pip-pip” notes.

This well-marked European endemic prefers rocky slopes and dry areas of hill and montane forest. Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft), but can be found in lower-lying open flat areas with sparse grass and low bushes in some regions. Highly territorial and vocal, giving an irregular series of "chick chek pe-ti-chek chi-chek" notes, particularly in the early morning. Often runs away rather than flying. Throat is white, while similar looking Chukar has a creamy throat; virtually no overlap in range with other similar species.