Indian Grassbird

A shy dove of lowland tropical forest, rarely seen away from intact forest habitats. Distinct from other small African doves in its uniform ruddy plumage and blue-gray head and hindneck. Call is a series of hollow hoots that increase in speed and sometimes waver slightly in pitch. Song is very similar to that of other wood-doves, but other wood-doves prefer more disturbed or more open habitats.

Looks very much like a chiffchaff, and best identified by voice: song is pleasant, slightly descending warble, very different from song of chiffchaff. Compared to chiffchaff, Willow Warbler is often brighter, more yellowish (especially in autumn) with stronger pale eyebrow, pinkish legs, and tends not to habitually dip its tail. However, many birds seen are best left unidentified. Found in wooded habitats, from mixed forest to willow thickets in open country.

Uncommon and local in Patagonia, where it favors stony lakeshores; also adjacent coastlines, mainly in winter. Easily overlooked; its mostly gray plumage helps it blend in. Usually in pairs or small groups, feeding mainly along shorelines or wading in shallows; sometimes associates loosely with migrant White-rumped and Baird’s Sandpipers. Stocky shape, plain dove-gray upperparts, and bright pinkish legs are a distinctive combination. In flight shows a white wing stripe, like many other shorebirds. Placed in its own family; more closely related to sheathbills than to plovers.