Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet

This medium-sized sunbird of the Western Ghats is similar in appearance to Crimson Sunbird, but the two ranges do not overlap. Male is bright red with a gray belly and iridescent blue-green tail and head markings. Female is dull gray overall with a paler belly. Young males are similarly dull, but often have dull red patches, particularly on the breast. Forages actively in small flocks in upper levels of foothill forest and forest edge. Squeaky song and high “seep” calls comparable to Crimson Sunbird.

Distinctive and handsome orange-breasted finch. Note black head of males (solid in breeding season, patchy in non-breeding) and gray-and-brown head of females. Complex wing patterns and white rump patches create a wondrous show when a flock rises up in flight. Breeds in northern woodlands, especially in and around birches; winters in varied wooded habitats (especially with beech trees), semiopen country, and farmland with hedges; sometimes visits gardens and parks with feeders or fruiting trees. Song is surprising and almost ugly for such a well-marked finch, a strange ringing buzz: “eerRRRRNnnn.” Gives a rising “qweee”, a higher-pitchd “tsi, tsi”, and various twittering and nasal flock calls.

Smaller brownish-black cockatoo of eastern Australia. Male fairly plain except for bright red tail panels. Female has blotchy yellow patches on neck and face and orange-red tail panels. Large bill used to feed on Allocasuarina and Casuarina seeds. The species is entirely dependent on these trees, and recently chewed seed-cones are good indicators of their presence. Usually observed in small groups rather than large flocks. Calls include drawn-out notes with a rougher, croakier tone than Red-tailed and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos.