Slate-crowned Antpitta

A fairly large raptor of lowland and foothill forest in the northern Philippines. Dark brown above and pale brown below with a streaked head and chest and a finely barred lower belly. Note the long hind crest and the chin stripe. In flight, has barred wings and a fairly long tail, both with a dark terminal band. Juveniles are much paler. Remarkably similar to Philippine Honey-buzzard, but head doesn’t project as far forward from the wings. Voice is a fairly high, screeching “week wik!” or single “week!”

Larger than most crakes. Found in wet forests instead of marshes. Very difficult to see as it creeps through dense understory. Far more easily heard: a series of upslurred whistled notes. Look for a brown bird with richer rufous underparts, a dull greenish-yellowish bill, and reddish legs. Favors dense wet forest or thickets, often but not always near a swamp or stream.

This small black-headed gull breeds on scattered saline lakes throughout central and northern Asia, as far east as Mongolia and northeastern China. However, it is seldom seen on its breeding grounds due to their remoteness. It winters in estuaries, beaches, and mudflats, where adults shed their handsome dark hoods for smudgy “earmuffs.” First winter birds are similar, but have light brown speckling on the wings (solid gray in adults, save for black-and-white tips). Stubbier-billed than Black-headed Gull and generally paler-headed than Saunders's Gull.