White-bellied Treepie

A huge and extremely rare raptor of lowland and montane forests. One of the largest eagles in the world, and the national bird of the Philippines. Dark brown above with pale feather edges, white underparts, a streaked shaggy crest and back of the neck, powerful yellow feet, a very thick silver-gray bill with a black tip, and black around the eye. Unmistakable if seen well perched. In flight, much broader-winged than other raptors. Voice is a descending, whistled “weeuuuu!” repeated at intervals.

A long- and stiff-tailed bird with primarily rusty-brown upperparts and dull orangish underparts. The head, mantle, and neck region are a dull, sooty black. The long graduated tail is pale gray with a wide black terminal band. Note the conspicuous silvery-gray, white, and black patterns on the wings. The blackish-gray bill is stout with a hooked tip. Found in a wide range of habitats from woodlands to scrubby patches, singly or in pairs feeding in the treetops. The call is a loud metallic “krowwiiii kroo.”

Smart-looking dark thrush with a distinctive pale crescent on the chest; male’s is bright white, female’s is dingier. Adult blackish overall with frosty pale wing edgings. Immature in autumn–winter has a much duller collar. Bill is duller yellow than Eurasian Blackbird, with a dark top edge and tip. Rather shy, flying into cover or far away over slopes when disturbed. Breeds in open highland habitat, including moorland, alpine meadows, rocky mountain sides, and conifer stands. Migrants can turn up in fields and open farmland. Sometimes associated strongly with junipers, especially in non-breeding range. Song is pleasant but simple and repetitive; calls include a low “taktaktak” and a buzzy “zrrp, zrrp.”