Morotai Friarbird

Rare and declining, but still fairly abundant at its main wintering grounds at Poyang Lake, in China’s Jiangxi Province. Adult is unmistakable with all-white plumage, save for a crimson face and black wingtips. Juveniles are whitish, with a light brown head, neck, back, and wings. Typically found around lake edges and fields, where it forages in small to medium-sized groups, primarily for plant matter and invertebrates.

A smallish rail of montane forest. Deep chestnut color. Male has a chestnut back with some black wing feathers, while the female has all black wings covered with white dots. Flutters wings when alarmed, flashing white dots. Forages very actively, even frantically, tossing leaves and moss aside to uncover invertebrates. Similar to White-striped and Forbes’s Forest-Rails, but Chestnut is smaller and the male has no white mark’s or fully dark wings, and female has spotted rear flanks. Calls, harsh raspy notes or squeaks.

Essentially a desert-dwelling cardinal, found in brushy areas of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Shaped much like a Northern Cardinal but with a longer, thinner crest and more rounded bill shape. Plumage is mostly gray with red highlights on the face, crest, belly, wings, and tail. Bill color is usually yellowish, but grayer on immatures. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often visiting bird feeders. Song is similar to Northern Cardinal but higher-pitched and more piercing.