Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

A mysterious and secretive reed warbler; formerly fairly common but now increasingly rare and possibly near extinction. The only Asian reed warbler with a streaked crown and back. Adults bear a passing resemblance to the much more common Black-browed Reed Warbler but have prominent striping all along the back and crown, a less contrasting brow pattern, and are noticeably paler in color. Recorded in marshes and wet fields on passage and during the winter, but breeding grounds remain unknown. Gives a rattling, grating song akin to a Oriental Reed Warbler, but reportedly quieter.

A large crested bulbul of tropical forests, usually found in the canopy foraging on berries. Body is a light yellow-green, while the wings, tail, and crown are brown. “Puff” of the white throat is slight and not an obvious feature. In the northwestern part of its range, it overlaps with the similar White-throated Bulbul, which has a more scraggly crest, more extensive white on the throat and face, and olive-green wings. Chatters with explosively harsh and barking quality; groups can be very loud and cacophonous.

Odd ground-dwelling bird that is rarely seen by those not looking for it. Brown upperparts, pale underparts, and elaborately striped head. Usually seen in pairs or family groups, walking on the forest floor. Defense behavior is to fly into a tree and freeze. Patchily distributed, mainly in western dry forest, but locally also in rainforest. Call is an incredibly loud and strident mix of clear “whee” notes and fast chuckling notes, usually given in duet by a pair. Can be separated from other mesites by range. Walks on the ground like Madagascar Buttonquail, but much larger and longer-tailed. Could be confused with White-throated Rail, but shorter and slimmer, longer-tailed, with pale underparts. Also slimmer, longer-tailed, and more elaborately patterned than a wood-rail.