Native to southern China and the Himalayas, the Red-billed Leiothrix inhabits the thick undergrowth of more open broadleaf evergreen, pine, and mixed forests, as well as scrub and forest edges. The Red-billed Leiothrix forages low in vegetation for fruit and arthropods. Outside the breeding season this species may occur in large flocks of up to 100 other leiothris, and it will also join mixed species flocks. The Red-billed Leiothrix is sometimes known as the Pekin Robin, and has become a popular cage bird, it has also been introduced in a number of places around the world. There are currently no conservation threats for this species.

The Owl Finch, or Double-barred Finch, is a handsome bird from northern and eastern Australia, where it is found in open grassy woodlands, scrublands, forest edge, and grassy vegetation along larger watercourses, as well as more anthropogenic habitats such as cane fields, roadsides, and parks and gardens. Like similar finches, the Owl Finch feeds of grasses and forbs on the ground, but will take more insects during the breeding season. The nest of this finch is a ball with a side entrance, made from grass, lined with soft grasses or feathers, and placed in a bush or small tree. Despite its popularity as a cage bird, the Owl Finch is not threatened.

A very colorful and terrestrial bird of the forest understory, the Western Hooded Pitta occurs in a wide range of habitats in Southeast Asia, including primary riverine forests, secondary forests with heavy understory or scrub, and wet or dry forests. This species can also be found in commercial plantations such as overgrown rubber or coffee plantations, orchards, and old gardens.

A little smaller than an American Robin, Western Hooded Pittas have a chunky body, large head, short tail feathers, and long legs. Both the male and female have a green body, a mostly or entirely black head (with a chestnut crown of variable extent), bright blue wing coverts, bright red belly, and large white wing patches that can only be seen when in flight. While the species is minimally dimorphic, females may average a slightly duller color underneath and have smaller white wing patches. 

The Western Hooded Pitta eats many kinds of insects that it finds among the dead leaves and litter of the forest floor, such as beetles, ants, termites, cockroaches, and their larvae. Earthworms and snails are also included in their diet. They are usually very terrestrial, but when they fly they show a startling bright white wing patch, a possible predator defense. Their large nest is a flattened dome on sloping ground made of twigs, dead leaves, rootlets, and moss, and often has a short “walkway” of leaves and twigs leading up to a side entrance. 

The Grosbeak Starling, also known as the Finch-billed Myna, is endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia where it inhabits forest edge and open woodlands. It is also very common in modified habitats such as plantations. The Grosbeak Starling often forages in large groups with other Grosbeak Starlings high in the canopy where it consumes fruits, seeds, insects, and nectar. This species is highly gregarious and also nests colonially. The Grosbeak Starling population in Sulawesi is very seriously impacted by the removal of large remnant trees often used for nesting following logging or land clearing for cultivation. In addition to their attractiveness for the pet trade, some Grosbeak Starlings are killed because of a case of mistaken identity—they are mistaken for a local agricultural pest species, the Short-tailed Starling.

The Green Singing Finch is native to the diverse landscapes of Africa (south of the Sahara Desert). These birds thrive in various habitats, from lowland open woodlands to savannas, gardens, and farmyards – showcasing their adaptability in wild and human-altered environments. Their diet is just as varied, primarily consisting of seeds, buds, flowers, and leaves. They also occasionally consume insects such as termites. 

A charming aspect of the Green Singing Finch is their intricate nesting behaviors. They construct a small, deep, compact cup of grasses, plant stems, and fibers nestled in the fork of a tree or shrub (providing safety for their young). They are also a vocal species – known to produce melodic chirps and songs within their habitats. 

Despite their popularity in the pet trade, these birds are not considered globally threatened. 

A native of lowland evergreen forest, deciduous and mixed woodland, open forest, and cleared areas with scattered tall trees of India and Indochina, the striking Golden-crested Myna forages for fruit and insects high in the canopy. A cavity nester, this species most frequently utilizes natural holes in trees. Although Golden-crested Mynas are often captured for the pet trade because of their ability to mimic human words and other sounds, this species is not currently considered threatened.

The Golden-breasted Starling is a beautifully colored bird, unmistakable and hard to miss! It inhabits the dry bush and savanna of the arid and semi-arid regions of northeastern Africa. This starling forages mainly on the ground for a variety of insects and some fruits, but termites are a favorite food. This species is a cooperative breeder, meaning multiple birds of the same species participate in the rearing of young. As many as nine helpers can assist at the nest of a pair of Golden-breasted Starlings. The nest itself is placed in a natural cavity in a tree, or in an abandoned barbet nest. The Golden-breasted Starling is not considered threatened at this time.

The Fairy-bluebird lives up to its name: this bird’s plumage is a deep brilliant blue. Males have glossy black feathers on the wings, chest, and tail, and the eyes of both sexes are bright red. Found in tropical forests throughout southeast Asia, the Fairy-bluebird mainly eats fruit, which it takes while perched or snatches from trees mid-flight. This species often joins mixed-species parties of insectivores hunting among foliage; it is observed in flocks of up to ten, but as many as 40 may gather at especially rich food sources. The Fairy-bluebird is not globally threatened and is more or less common throughout most of its range. However, local decreases and disappearances due to hunting, habitat loss, and the cagebird trade may soon require a reassessment and downgrading of its status to Near Threatened or Vulnerable.

The Dhyal Thrush, also called the Oriental Magpie-Robin, is a small songbird found throughout India and southeast Asia. It is the national bird of Bangladesh. The Dhyal Thrush can be found in a variety of habitats including deciduous forest, orchards, cacao plantations, and even in residential village gardens. It has a clear warbling song that can sometimes include mimicry. This species is not globally threatened but is experiencing declines due to the cagebird trade.

The Crested Oropendola inhabits forest edges and clearings in lowland South America east of the Andes Mountains. This species forages mostly in the upper stratum of trees on fruits, insects, and spiders, as well as small vertebrates such as tree frogs. The Crested Oropendola will also take cultivated fruits such as oranges, papayas, and mangos. Crested Oropendolas breed in colonies of 2–40 nests, with a dominant male that does most of the mating. Nests, built by the females, are spectacular pensile (hanging) pouches, open at the top, that may be as long as 5 feet. The Crested Oropendola is regarded as an agricultural pest in fruit orchards and plantations in some areas, and is locally persecuted, but it is not considered threatened.

The White-rumped Shama, also called the Common Shamma Thrush, is native to southeast Asia, India, and some Indonesian islands. This species prefers dense greenery and uses its long tail to change directions easily as it flits about in dense thickets. It has a melodious and complex song and was once thought to be a member of the thrush family Turdidae. The White-rumped Shama was introduced to the Hawaiian Archipelago in 1931 and is now common on the islands of Kaua’i and O’ahu. Unfortunately, in Hawaii, the White-rumped Shama is a reservoir for avian malaria which threatens endemic birds on the islands. While not globally threatened, the illegal wildlife trade has led to marked declines in the species’ population.

The Capuchinbird is an unusual-looking, brown-to-orange bird of the canopy of tropical lowland evergreen forests of northeastern South America. This species primarily consumes a wide variety of fruits, but also many different larger invertebrates. The Capuchinbird gathers in leks during the mating season where males compete for the attention of the female in a communal space. Their nests of twigs are then built in the understory in the fork of branches near the lek site. The Capuchinbird is not currently considered under threat.