Olive Bushshrike

A distinctive and attractive thrush of dry country, patterned in gray, rufous, and white. Note the orange bill and bare skin around the eye, and the white throat with black striping. Found in the thick undergrowth of a variety of habitats, including dry thorn savanna, scrub, and woodland. Fairly shy and retiring. There is only minor overlap in range with similar thrushes, such as African Thrush and Kurrichane Thrush, and in those areas, African Bare-eyed Thrush is easily identified by the bare skin around the eye. One common call is a short, low-pitched trill, and the song is a low-pitched combination of chatty whistles and trills, with frequent pauses. 

Chunky babbler of the forest floor and understory in Sumatra’s highlands. Mostly dark brown, with a white throat, dark scaling on the upperparts, and the namesake rust-colored breast. Forages in pairs or small groups. Often duets loudly, with one bird giving a vibrant and repetitive up-and-down song, and another giving a continuous “pee-peet, pee-peet.” Also gives a clear, whistled “hoohoohoohoooo.”

A long-tailed, slender songbird with fine bill. Male entirely glossy blue-black. Female a rich chestnut above, white below, with black crown and face (in poor light, may appear dark above; compare Restless and Paperbark flycatchers). Inhabits mangroves and wetlands, actively pursuing insects on the ground and in low vegetation. Song a clear whistled “towhit-too-towhit.”