Epaulet Oriole

Small, pale, streaky bird with long cocked tail, a floodplain specialist with a highly restricted range. In dry years, it stays almost exclusively in habitat dominated by thick Lignum shrub (distinctive tangled floodplain shrub). In wetter years, it ventures into surrounding habitats. Upperparts pale brown, underparts pale with buff wash on belly; fine black-and-white streaking on the breast and head. In addition to black eyeline, there is a bridlelike black "Y" shape on cheek and chin. Unlikely to be seen without deliberate, specific search. Call is a high-pitched, metallic twittering.

A strange little bird of highland pastures, meadows, and dry steppe. Doesn’t resemble any other tit; looks a bit like a tiny corvid, and formerly classified as one. Dusty brown above and white below with a dark, curved bill. Often in small groups, sometimes associating with larks and snowfinches, as well as with pikas and marmots, whose burrows they use as shelter. Bold and adaptable, often foraging in and around villages and towns.

This rather grimy-looking species is a familiar presence in many open habitats. Dark gray-brown overall with white cheeks of varying size, usually streaked with dark gray; white sometimes covers most of the head. White rump and underwing coverts obvious when in flight. Constantly gives high-pitched chattering calls when foraging in flocks.