Lesser Greenlet

Very long tailed prinia of hilly and montane areas, descending to foothills in winter. Plain with brown upperparts, slightly rustier on the wing, and paler belly. Breeding adult’s gray head, white moustache stripe, black throat and chest are unique. Favors scrubby, and open areas such as clearings and forest and field edge. Breeding plumage unmistakable. Non-breeding plumage somewhat similar to Himalayan Prinia, but Black-throated has unstreaked upperparts and white eyebrow. Song is a repetitive series of “plik” notes. Often gives buzzy call notes.

A large, long-tailed cuckoo with chocolate-brown upperparts and tail, a contrasting pale gray head, and thickly barred underparts. Juvenile has a black head and whitish underside. A seldom-seen bird of forested lowlands and mountains, most abundant in the foothills. Distinguished from most other cuckoos by the heavy barring below and the brown back. Separated from Large Hawk-Cuckuoo by smaller size, absence of throat streaking, and lack of any rufous throat coloration. Distinctive call, often given before dawn, is rapid, three-note “kaka-koo.”

Despite its exquisite coloration, this tiny finch is reclusive, generally uncommon, and seldom observed. Note emerald-green back and orange extending from the face down to the upper belly. Sky-blue forehead patch is much larger and brighter in males than females. Found in highland forests and forest edge; often associated with bamboo thickets.