White-thighed Swallow

A small gray-and-white petrel with a dark hood, a bold dark “M” pattern across the upperwings, and a distinctive bold black underwing pattern. Very variable. A pale morph resembles Gould’s Petrel, while a distinctive sooty-brown dark morph shows exceptionally bold underwing markings. Pale morph separated from Gould’s Petrel by its much bolder underwing pattern and its hood, which often meets below the neck, creating a full collar. Silent at sea.

A slender ash-gray apalis with a diagnostic striking white panel on the folded wing and two pairs of white outer tail feathers which are usually obvious on the dark tail. Upperparts are darker than underparts. Presumably resident in areas of semi-arid shrubland, particularly those with scattered thorn trees along dry watercourses. Pairs sing a long duet of chipped and warbled notes. The white wing panel easily separates this species from other long-tailed warbler-like birds in its range.

Strikingly patterned male is unmistakable with his jet-black face and breast, white cheek patch, dark rust-brown collar, and bright white spots. Brownish female has a small orange nape patch, pale throat, and dense black-and-white markings all over the body; compare with larger Gray Francolin. Occurs in dry grasslands, agricultural land, and weedy fields. Shier than other francolins; more often heard than seen. Usually solitary or in pairs. Male call is a peculiar, metallic-sounding “keek, keek, kek-ke-kek.” Native to Asia, from Turkey east to far eastern India and northern Myanmar; introduced to Hawaii.