Chinese Gray Shrike

Attractive, small, chocolate brown-and-white bird of lowland rainforest. Bold facial pattern is distinctive; purple tufts on the flanks are often hidden, but diagnostic when visible. Usually perches singly or in pairs high up in the forest canopy, and can be easiest to see around the edges of forest clearings. Fairly quiet, usually giving only high, unobtrusive “seet” notes.

A very large barn-owl with a gray facial disk, gray crown, and rufous upperparts and wings with scattered dark markings. Prefers open country, like agricultural land, plantations, and forest edge, from lowlands to mountains. Limited to Sulawesi. Distinguished from smaller Minahassa Masked-Owl by gray face, gray forecrown, more extensive dark markings across wings and upperparts, and preference for open country. Distinguished from Australasian Grass-Owl by feathered legs that do not project beyond the tail in flight, and by less contrasting wing pattern. Call is a long screeching note.

Tiny brown bird that often holds its short little tail cocked up. Often sings from a fairly exposed perch, but at other times rather mouselike, creeping in brambles and understory. As such, can be quite inconspicuous. Favors wooded areas with a dense understory, as well as gardens, hedges in farmland, heathland, and coastal cliffs. Heard much more than seen: song is loud, bright, and musical, a varied series of trills and ringing warbles, repeated. Chipping calls can also give away its presence.