Palau Swiftlet

Rather large, wholly dark petrel. Breeds in New Zealand and ranges across the temperate South Pacific to Chile, where it is uncommon to locally fairly common in the Humboldt Current and fjords. Often found with much commoner, but very similar White-chinned Petrel and is not easily identified unless distinct black bill tip of Westland can be seen (White-chinned has pale bill tip). Slightly smaller Parkinson’s Petrel looks very similar to Westland, but favors warmer tropical and subtropical waters and has a smaller, more rounded head and slightly slimmer bill.

Small brownish tit with a clear black-and-white face pattern. Very similar to Marsh Tit, with which it is closely related, but ranges do not overlap. Sichuan Tit may pose some identification problems, but Black-bibbed has plain wings without bright white tinting, a more extensive solid black bib, and comparatively paler flanks. Song consists of twittering chirps and higher-pitched notes: “tsi-tsi-chew!” or a more musical series of whistled and chattering notes. Calls include nasal scolding and a range of chipping and loud “pit-chew!” phrases. Prefers mid- to high-altitude forests, often in association with conifers in China and in mixed forest in Myanmar.

Males is exquisitely patterned, with an unmistakable green-and-yellow facial pattern, spotted rose-pink breast, and long, drooping scapulars. Female mostly drab brown but with a distinct white spot near the bill base as well as a very weak hint of the male's facial pattern. Breeds in marshy woods and on the tundra. During the non-breeding season, gathers in groups of up to several thousand in marshes and estuaries in northeastern Asia; generally uncommon outside core wintering grounds.