Mouse-colored Tyrannulet

A unique, large desert lark. On the ground, plumage is unimpressive with spotted breast and overall sandy tones, but in flight a magnificent white-and-black pattern is exposed. Males are slightly brighter-patterned than females. Bill is long and downcurved. Constantly runs on its long legs. Breeds on sandy and stony plains and low hills. Resident or nomadic. Song is a beautiful ascending series on flutey whistles followed by a descending trill; often given in a dramatic vertical display flight.

A small owlet-nightjar of montane forests. Dark head, pale collar, barred back and tail. A rufous morph also occurs. Day-roosting birds are sometimes found in dense thickets. May overlap with Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar, which lacks the pale collar, and Vogelkop Owlet-nightjar, which has a barred chest. Call, a sharp falling “wek!” or “wek-wek!” sounding like a squeaky toy or given as a raspy note.

A small, common bird of forest and more open wooded areas from the foothills to the mountains. Has a yellow cheek and underparts, a black bib, cap, and wing, whitish blotches on the wing, and a black tail with a white tip and edge markings. The female is not as bright as the male. Unmistakable in range. Song consists of a medium-pitched whistle, followed by two high notes, repeated: “chuu chit-chit! chuu chit-chit! chuu.” Also gives nasal rasps typical of tits.