Spangled Cotinga

This is the only montane laughingthrush in its range and hence unmistakable. It has dull olive-brown upperparts, a grey-streaked white breast, and a rufous-chestnut lower breast and belly. The most striking characteristic is the white eyebrow, flaring in front of the eye over a dark eye-line. Found in stunted montane forests, tea estates, and wooded second growth, in pairs or noisy flocks, producing a melodious “pe-kee-ke” song and several other chatters intermingled with musical notes. Heard more often than seen; its songs and calls are usually the first indication of its presence. 

Large ground-dwelling bird with powerful legs and long tail. Primarily gray-brown with reddish outer wing. Males have spectacular long tail comprising different feather types. The main “lyre” feathers bold barring while the other feathers are plain, thin, and wispy. Juveniles and females lack the longer tail feathers. This may cause confusion with Albert’s Lyrebird, but note range and color of underparts (cold and grayish in Superb). Superb Lyrebird is found in rainforest habitats in southeastern Australia, where it forages in leaf litter for food. It has a very powerful song and is known for mimicking other species.

A beautiful minivet inhabiting open, dry scrub and savanna with scattered acacia (Prosopis) growth. The male has a glossy black upper body, face, and neck. The breast region has a round orange patch, with the rest of the underparts white. The tail is black, with an orange rump and white markings on the wings. The plumage of the male of this bird is reminiscent of breeding male stonechats. The female is duller in appearance, with dark gray upperparts, black wings, a black tail, and dark black lores. The wings have white markings similar to the males’, and the rump is orange. The species usually moves in small groups, feeding mainly on insects.