Black-breasted Myzomela

A large raptor of expansive open spaces such as steppe, pastures, and semi-deserts. Perches visibly on utility poles and snags. Especially abundant near marmot and pika colonies. Longer-winged and more heavily marked than smaller Eastern and Himalayan Buzzards, but identification can be challenging. Plumages include both light and dark morphs; both have a large dark patch on the underwing at the “wrist.” Dark morph is black with pale outer underwings (“hands”), and light morph is blotchy brown below, with dark tarsal feathers (“trousers”) reminiscent of Rough-legged Hawk.

One of the largest of the frigatebirds; females are larger than males. Adults are easier to separate from similar frigatebirds than younger birds. Adult males are all black with a white oval belly patch and white spurs emanating outwards from the body onto the wing. Adult females have a black throat with a white hind collar, breast, and belly. The white spurs on the wing are angled forwards. Juvenile and immature plumages are variable and are best separated from other frigatebirds by size when comparison is possible. Breeding restricted to Christmas Island and usually silent unless breeding. Stragglers appear far away from the breeding colony in parts of Indian and Eastern Pacific Oceans.

A bright-eyed, hefty billed bird of forests and to a lesser extent scrublands. Tends to hold its tail cocked up and wings drooped, especially when feeding. Mostly gray with a blackish mask and whitish underparts. Brown Trembler is largely warm brown, lacks white underparts of Gray Trembler and has a weaker mask, if any. White-breasted Thrasher is dark brown above and largely bright white below with a dark red eye (not yellow as in Gray Trembler). Song is a slow jumble of rich whistles and high-pitched sibilant notes. Calls include scattered whistles and harsh scolding notes.