Olive Finch

A newly described species endemic (at least as a breeder) to a few pockets of northern China. Essentially visually identical to Red-flanked Bluetail: adult male is sky-blue above and pale below, with orange sides and a small white eyebrow. Female and juvenile are more subdued, but still have the rufous flanks and blue tail. Breeds in humid montane forest, often favoring mossy, damp areas. Wintering range and habits essentially unknown, but probably overlap those of Red-flanked Bluetail. Can be hyperactive, moving quickly across the forest floor, stopping to flick the tail downwards. Best identified by range and distinctive song: a short, descending sweet yet burry phrase repeated regularly, very different from the song of Red-flanked Bluetail. Also has a variety of calls that are less distinctive, including a rising “sweet”, a descending “seet”, and a series of low, dry notes.

Medium-sized brown raptor of montane habitats. Shows thick dark brown streaking on the underparts. In flight, the underside of the wing is streaked brown at the front and solidly white at the back, with a rim of black. Found in mountain forest and adjacent open habitats. Often soars. The call is a piercing whistle. Very similar to the migratory Common Buzzard, but never shows red in the tail, and always has a pattern of heavy dark brown streaks below.

Tiny songbird, green above, gray below, with yellow throat and broad white ring around the eye. Found in the Phillippines (subspecies meyeni) and on Lanyu and Lüdao Islands southeast of Taiwan (subspecies batanis). Forages actively in tropical broadleaf forests and gardens, usually in small flocks, giving harsh, buzzy calls.