Recently described, inconspicuous and rarely seen bird of rainforest canopy. Small and slender with a long tail; mostly dark gray with a broken white eyering, white belly, and white outer tail feathers. Inhabits canopy of tall forest, especially in regions with sandy soils. Usually seen with mixed-species flocks as it forages actively in outer foliage, sallying for insects and gleaning from leaves, moving long tail from side to side like other gnatcatchers. Thin and indistinct call notes are easily overlooked among calls of other species in flocks, but distinctive shape, active behavior, and long tail with extensive white should clinch identification. Extremely similar to other gnatcatchers of the Guianan Gnatcatcher complex, but no overlap in range. Distinguished from Tropical Gnatcatcher by uniform gray body plumage and lack of a black cap, and from Tooth-billed Wren by slimmer shape and smaller size, lacking any black barring in the plumage.
Worstbird
Worstbird(s) of Aug 2023
Naga-Zaunkönigtimalie
A tiny bird that skulks in the dense undergrowth of evergreen forests, particularly around running water. Brown above with a large white throat patch and belly. Similar to Tawny-breasted and Gray-bellied Wren-Babblers, but the Long-tailed Wren-Babbler has a longer tail and distinct white streaks along the flanks. The song is a relatively short warble of 3-5 loud, melodic notes.
Graukopfstar
Pale-headed starling with dark-tipped wings and an orangish belly and rump. Bill is distinctively colorful: blue with a yellow tip. Inhabits open forests and forest edge, as well as agricultural areas and village outskirts. Like other starlings, social and raucous, often flocking together while noisily churring and whistling. Frequently perches up on exposed perches such as snags and utility lines, but also forages extensively on the ground. Native to southern Asia; introduced to Taiwan.
Other birds voted for in Aug 2023
Ockerhäherling
Bright rufous laughingthrush with a gray belly and bright blue facial skin patch. Restricted to primary montane forest but will occasionally move downslope in winter. Can be quite tame and confiding, hopping around human settlements and foraging around trash bins and garbage piles in small flocks. Loud and vocal, giving a range of different churring, chucking, and whistling calls while foraging.
Kletterweber
A striking black-and-red forest malimbe lacking a breastband in either sex. Male has red from the forehead to the upper back, with spurs creating a half-collar on the neck. Female is like the male but the forehead is black to the center of the crown. Juvenile is like the female, with a paler bill and a brown forehead. A common resident in its range, preferring the canopy of primary and secondary lowland forest, farmbush, woodland, and occasionally gardens. Forages nuthatch-style in pairs and small groups and often dangles upside down, clinging to branches and examining crevices. Vocalizations include whistles accelerating into sizzling notes “whetdoteew-dzrsrsrrrr.”