Buffy Laughingthrush

Medium-sized woodpecker with a colorful crest. Coloration varies considerably based on range, but always look for a bright yellow hindcrest, overall greenish coloration, and white-barred chest. Greater Yellownape is significantly larger with an all-gray belly. Forages along trunks, branches, and on the ground in forested lowlands and foothills; sometimes accompanies mixed-species foraging flocks. Listen for its oddly raptor-like “pyeeeah.”

A small bushshrike in which males and females are strikingly different. Males are black and gray on the upperparts, whitish below. Females are gray-brown on the upperparts, pale gray below. Local and generally uncommon in dry savanna and thornscrub. Usually in pairs. Similar to Black-backed and Northern Puffbacks, but noticeably smaller, with a pale base to the bill. The most common vocalization is an explosive, repeated “kweea,” but the species also gives scolding and ratcheting calls. 

Striking chubby songbird with a black “robber’s” mask. Male is pearly gray overall with an orange breast patch. Female is warm brown overall and lacks the male’s breast patch. Both sexes have a glossy black tail and wing markings. Breeds in coniferous and mixed montane and foothill forests; sometimes descends to lower elevations during the winter. Song is a chattering series of whistles and distinctly dry and raspingly creaky notes. Calls are soft and mellow-sounding, usually a “poo-yee” or “pooe” note.