Siberian Rubythroat

The chunkiest and thickest-billed phalarope. Of the three phalaropes, Red is the least likely to be seen inland. Breeding females are brighter and more contrasting than males: note bright body the color of tomato juice, with black cap and white cheek. Males are colored like watered-down tomato juice, with a streaky cap. Also look for yellow bill with dark tip. Nonbreeding is much less colorful: smooth gray above and white below with a black ear patch. Juveniles are dark above and stained with buffy tones; they molt quickly into nonbreeding plumage. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Primarily found on the open ocean during migration and winter; rare inland. Usually in small flocks, but can gather in larger numbers, often in mixed flocks with Red-necked Phalarope. Red is best distinguished by larger size, thicker bill, and slightly paler, smoother-looking upperparts.

A fairly average-looking but geographically highly variable lark. The overall coloration ranges from bright rufous in the northeast to dull rufous in much of the range, to brown in many areas, but there is always a distinct pale eyebrow, some streaking on the breast, and rufous in the wings that is conspicuous in flight. Pairs are resident in both arid and moist savanna, preferring softer sandy soils where they walk and run, digging in soft sand for insects and seeds. When breeding, the male sits up on a prominent perch singing a canary-like song that usually starts with a couple of introductory notes and is followed by a jumbled warble of buzzy but melodious notes. The song may include imitations of other bird species, and is sometimes also given in flight. Similar to several other lark species, but more rufous than most, and lacks bright white edges to the tail. Gillett’s Lark is also quite rufous, but Fawn-colored Lark lacks its rufous crown and cheek patch. Fawn-colored Lark also has a longer and slimmer bill than Horsfield’s Bushlark. Similar to Sabota Lark, but Fawn-colored has a plainer face pattern and shows a rufous wing panel.

Elegant, robin-like bird with a long tail. Males are bluish-black and white. Females are brown and buff. Both sexes show a white slash in the wing. There is regional variation: western birds have white in the tail and more white in the wing; northeastern males have a black belly. Common Madagascar endemic that is found in the understory of all forest types, as well as in scrub, plantations, and gardens. Pretty song is a conversational phrase of whistles, whines, and rattles. Much larger than African Stonechat, and usually doesn’t sit in the open. Females separated from female rock-thrushes by their white wing patch.