Karoo Thrush

A terrestrial, chickenlike bird found only at very high elevations in the Andes. Inhabits grassy areas such as overgrown pastures and paramo;does not venture into dense forest. It has cinnamon underparts and dark brown upperparts that are heavily streaked with white; sometimes exhibits a small crest. Typical, but rarely heard call is a short, high-pitched whistle. Usually shy and hard to see, but occasionally comes out to feed in the open along quiet roads early in the morning.

A tiny, warbler-shaped songbird confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. Upperparts gray-brown; underparts clean, unmarked white. Note subtle white mark between bill and eye, and beady-eyed appearance. Juveniles washed yellow below. Inhabits forest, edge, mangroves, and scrub from coast to mountains. Sits high in the understory, singly or in pairs. Unmistakable, as the only tiny gray-and-white warbler-like bird in range. Warbling song comprises a series of high-pitched, descending whistled phrases such as “pee-pee-ooo-ooo-pee-ooo-ooo”. Calls often and for prolonged periods.

Handsome and uncommon thrasher of oak scrub, thickets, and brushy woodland; endemic to interior highlands of central Mexico. Tosses leaves noisily on the ground, but is usually skulking and rarely seen unless singing. Sings year-round and at any time of day (but mainly early and late), often from a prominent perch. Note the long arched bill, pale eyebrow, brownish eyes, and bold black breast spots (like eyespots, hence the name ocellated). Curve-billed Thrasher occurs in the same areas and is more common, but has golden eyes and weak blurry spotting on breast; beware, song can be similar.