Asian Short-toed Lark

In breeding range, this large, long-billed songster of expansive reedbeds can often be seen perched on top of a stalk belting its heart out, but on wintering grounds, it is more likely to be detected by a harsh, grating rattling from deep within the vegetation. Unremarkably plumaged, brown above, paler below, with a weak white supercilium and a short bristly crest, occasionally raised. Compare with other large reed warblers, especially Clamorous Reed Warbler.

Distinctive large shorebird with long legs, enormous yellow eye, heavily streaked underparts. During the day stands or sits under small trees/shrubs, often in small groups. When disturbed will lie down and flatten neck to the ground. At night becomes active and wanders around calling its wonderful eerie wailing cry. In cities like Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane it is relatively common in parks, open grounds, camping grounds. More common across northern Australia.

A brownish-gray dumpy-bodied bird with a long scruffy tail, a reddish back, brown ears, a brown crest, and pale eyes. Occurs in small sociable groups in forest edge, woodland, thorn scrub, and cultivated areas along the Angolan escarpment, where it is endemic. One of the most familiar and beloved birds of Angola, where it is known as the “Rabo-de-junco”. Scrambles through bushes and tangles, creeping on short legs. In flight, it appears heavy, fluttering rapidly. Calls include a harsh “chee” and twittering notes like those of Speckled Mousebird, which differs from Red-backed by being lightly barred on the breast and mantle, having a brown back, and in the area of overlap in northern Angola, having dark eyes.