Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Male unmistakable. A stunningly colourful bird with a dark, metallic green head with bright red bare sides. Female dark buff with dark spots. Can be mistaken for female Golden Pheasant, or Lady Amherst's Pheasant, but these have barred breast. Both sexes with straight, very long, tapering tails.
Sound:Diverse repertoire of harsh cackling sounds. Male call can be heard for more than a kilometer away; a very harsh, staccato and explosive "kaa" or "ka-kaa", with last syllable falling in pitch.
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCSmallest falcon. Male with slate grey upperparts, and pinkish buff, speckled underparts . Female dark brown above and heavily speckled below. Due to the extensive markings, the underparts give a darker impression than in Kestrel. Tail of female with dark broad bands, tail of male with broad black terminal band. Diffuse facial markings. Short wings. Silhouette similar to Peregrine, but the much faster wing beats are diagnostic. Acrobatic flight with sharp twist and turns when chasing prey. Alternating glides and bursts of wing-beats gives undulating flight.
Sound:Series of harsh "kwik-wik wik". Coarseness similar to Peregrine, but pace much quicker. Female call harsher than male. Lacking the clearer tones and attack of Kestrel.
Alarm call:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CC