Handsome Flycatcher

The only crested tit in most of its range. Black front with yellow cheek and yellow eyebrow. Yellowish-green upperparts, white-spotted wings, and yellow-and-black underparts. Females and juveniles are duller, with shorter crests, central stripe thinner and incomplete, and yellowish parts becoming dull white. A bird of the hills, it is most abundant between 500 meters and 1800 meters of elevation, but rarely descends to lower elevations. Seen in pairs or family groups, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks in the non-breeding season. Forages in the canopy, emitting loud whistles and harsh chatters.

A fairly small sunbird with an unusually short, warbler-like bill. The male has an iridescent violet head and back, while the female has brownish upperparts, white underparts, and a white eyebrow. Found in dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub, often in pairs. Very similar to Western Violet-backed Sunbird, but in the area of overlap, Eastern is separated by the male’s turquoise rather than violet rump, and by the female’s pure white rather than yellow-tinged belly. Also similar to Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, but found in different habitats, and separated by the white rather than gray underparts of the male and the white eyebrow of the female. Vocalizations include a scolding mew and a high-pitched jumbled song. 

Plain, pale brownish bulbul. Endemic to very specialized habitat in South India. Only found in hills with dry rocky scrub and boulders, co-occurring locally with the more widespread White-browed Bulbul throughout its range. Although both species have a yellow vent and can sound similar, Yellow-throated can be distinguished by its yellow head that contrasts with its whitish underparts. Usually occurring in pairs, it tends to rove along regular circuits, often perching on exposed rocks and boulders. Voice like White-browed’s, but more melodious and higher in pitch.