South Pare White-eye

Black flycatcher with a short crest. Males are glossy black with a white band across the flight feathers and red eyes. Females are brown above with a rusty rump and white below with dusky streaks. Found in dry forests in rocky areas, where males are usually seen perching conspicuously.

Flocks of these large sea ducks enliven northern coastlines. Males are white and black with a soft suffusion of green on the nape. Immature males are variable and messy-looking with patches of black and white. Females vary from rich rufous-brown to cold grayish, always with extensive black barring covering body and wings. Slight variation in bill shape and color across subspecies, especially obvious on males; Pacific birds have brightest orange bills, most others have greenish bills. Dives to feed on mollusks and other crustaceans. In late summer, look for flocks of females with dozens of ducklings; broods often join together. Compare females with other eider species, and note details of bill and head shape.

Slightly smaller than a domestic chicken, but longer bodied and reddish in color. Females have more barring on the upperparts than males. It is a bird of dry and moist forests as well as well-wooded villages. Males have a distinctive, rapidly repeated “k-r-r-r-kwek, kr-kr-kwek, kr-kr-kwek” call, often delivered in the mornings and evenings. When flushed males and females give a harsh, cackling “kuk-kuk-kuk-kukaak.” Forages in the undergrowth and is generally secretive, but often seen crossing roads or walking down paths in pairs or small groups. Birds from northern India are more buffish-gray while birds of southern India are darker.