Black-throated Laughingthrush

A small, stocky, pale brown bird with a fairly heavy bill. Unlike other bushlarks, breast streaking is minimal and often only restricted to the sides of the breast, while the wings are not as rust-colored. The pale eyebrow is well marked and typically extends neatly down around the cheeks. There is subtle though considerable geographic variation over the huge range. The overall coloration can vary from dark gray-brown to rich rufous-brown to pale sandy, and the amount and clarity of streaking on the breast also varies. Found in dry, open plains, agricultural areas, open shrubland, and grassland. The song is varied and complex, and includes whistles, trills, buzzes, metallic notes, and sometimes imitations of other bird species. The song can be given from a perch or on the wing. Forages on the ground, where it can be hard to detect until very close; gives a loud chip as it flushes. Similar to Indian Bushlark, but Singing Bushlark has a white outermost tail feather, appears drabber overall, and looks chunkier. Larger-billed but smaller overall than Eurasian and Oriental Skylarks, and averages more darkly streaked on the back.

A short-tailed parrotbill with a bulbous orange head, found in hill and submontane forests. Brown above and white below. Very similar in appearance to the smaller Pale-billed Parrotbill; look for the latter’s short black eyebrow. Confusingly, both species are often found alongside one another in mixed flocks, typically with White-hooded Babblers. Gives chirps, squeaks, and mews frequently as it moves through bamboo thickets; also gives a distinct song composed of whistled notes.

Small, short-tailed antwren. Males are gray with white wingbars. Females are gray-brown above and buff below, with buffy wingbars. Found in the understory of flooded forests and on river islands. The song is a fast trill that descends at the end. The similar Gray Antwren lacks this species’ semi-concealed white patch on the back and has a different song and habitat preference.