Appearance:

Male unmistakable with its stunning colours. Broad, white eyestripe from bill to nape, and two conspicuous wing sails. Large head, compact body and long tail. Female and juvenile also distinct, but may easily be confused with Wood Duck. Differs from this by "clear cut" base of bill without wedges, less white around eye, paler head and coarser white markings on flanks. Juveniles similar to female, but browner and duller. Often perches on branches and logs.

Sound:

Display call a thin, whistling and rapidly rising "hueessst, accompanied by deeper clappering sounds. Other sounds include a short and sharp, coot-like "ket", and a short "ack".

Male display:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Matthias Feuersenger, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Large and robust warbler with plain plumage, except for the characteristic cap (black in males, rufous in females and juveniles). Upperparts greyish brown and underparts pale grey. Vent white. No white in tail, as opposed to all other black-capped Sylvias in the region. Easily confused with Garden Warbler if the cap is not seen.

Sound:

Song pleasing, varied and loud. Sometimes very similar to Garden Warbler. A typical phrase starts with soft, staccato chattering and mimicry, which after a few seconds changes to a much louder, pure and resonant stream of notes for about 3-5 seconds. No fixed motif, but may end phrases with recurring notes. Often deviates from the characteristic type of song, and identification from song alone may be impossible. May sing first part of song for extended periods without ever reaching the characteristic ending. Alarm call a hard "check", similar to Lesser White-throat. Sometimes with an additional hoarse and nasal "cherrrr".

Alarm call, song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC