Kurdish Wheatear

A small, short-tailed parrot of lowland forest, forest edge, and lush gardens. Mostly found at low elevations, and sometimes up into the hills. Green body with dark blue in the wing, black forecrown and cheek, and a pale line separating the cheek, crown and bill. Males have an orange breast, while females have orange behind the dark cheek patch. Usually found in small groups. Most similar to Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, but Blue-fronted has blackish instead of red forecrown and cheek, and an orange breast. Calls, a sharp, high-pitched “tsik!” or excited twittering which often betrays their present in a tree.

Medium-sized starling of forest edge, agricultural fields, and open scrubby or grassy areas. Thin, black bandit’s mask, medium-gray back, grayish-pink chest, dark iris and bicolored orange-and-black bill. Pale gray rump, white tail tip and flashing white wing patches are most prominent in flight. Like many other starlings, typically encountered in pairs and flocks. Distinguished from Red-billed and Chestnut-tailed Starlings by its mask. Gives loud grating and chattering calls.

Fairly small antshrike. Males are dark gray with a black throat. Females are tinged brown above and tawny below with a contrasting whitish throat. Found in the understory of lowland humid forest. Often leads mixed-species flocks; occasionally attends army-ant swarms. Sings a series of gradually ascending notes that ends with a harsh final note. Similar to Cinereous Antshrike, which can occur in the same flocks, but differs in throat color and in song.