Black-and-rufous Swallow

A large woodpecker of lowland and foothill wooded areas on Luzon and neighboring islands, with a red back, a yellowish belly with indistinct patterning, and black on the tail, edge to the wing, neck, and chest. Note the obvious white spotting on the chest, neck, and line behind the eye. Angled crest is black with white spots in the female and red in the male. Unmistakable. The only other similarly sized woodpecker in its range is Northern Sooty-Woodpecker, which is entirely dark. Voice includes a series of short ringing notes, “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki!”

Large terrestrial dove found in a variety of habitats including forest edges, dense secondary growth, and mature forest understory. Skulking and easy to overlook, but can often be seen walking on quiet trails early and late in the day. In flight, white tips on outer tail feathers are often visible, like in similar White-tipped Dove, but with less extensive white. Also distinguished from that species by red, not blue skin around eye, and brighter more contrasting gray forehead. Frequently heard song is a mournful “hoop,” repeated every 5–10 seconds, particularly in the morning.

A pallid, medium-small, compact lark with a pale stout bill that appears swollen and a streaky crest that is often raised. The upperparts are sandy brown with indistinct dark streaks, the face is plain with a distinct eyebrow, and the breast shows very diffuse streaking on whitish underparts. Highly nomadic; small to very large flocks can appear after rains, sometimes associating with sparrow-larks or buntings, preferring arid grasslands on plains and gravel rather than sandy substrates. The species performs an aerial display with trills, whistles, and chirps. Often it rests in shade during the heat of the day with the crest raised, mouth open, eyes half shut, and wings drooped to aid in cooling.