Papyrus Yellow-Warbler
Calamonastides gracilirostris
Mid-sized, long-billed warbler, with rich yellow underparts and an olive-green back. The underparts often show an orange tint. Found in papyrus swamp. Very localized and poorly known species. The song consists of simple repeated phrases and is easily missed. Other yellow-warblers are similar but have different songs, lack orange tones to the underparts, and are found in different habitats.
Identification
Compared with the dull browns and greys typical of swamp-dwelling warblers, this warbler is brightly coloured. It shows an underbelly of rich yellow and olive-brown upper parts. Its song consists of melodious liquid warbling.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Calamonastides gracilirostris
- Authority
- (Ogilvie-Grant, 1906)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acrocephalidae
- Genus
- Calamonastides
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bronze Parotia
Parotia berlepschi
A fairly large, short-tailed bird of mid-mountane forest canopy in the Foja Mountains. Male is mainly black with white flanks, bronzy-scaled chest and 6 antennalike feathers projecting from the back of the head. Note the blue eye. The female is dull brown above with rufous in the wing, strongly-barred underparts and pale bands above and below the eye. The male dances at a terrestrial display court. There are no other similar birds-of-paradise that co-occur. Vocalizations include loud rasps, rattles or a single or double-note squeak “wi-dik!”.
Slaty-backed Thrush
Geokichla schistacea
An unmistakable black, white, and gray thrush. Gray upperparts and black head marked with bold white cheek patch and long white eyebrow. Throat and chest black and belly clean white, peppered with black spots on the upper part. Occurs in forest, where it forages on the ground but often perches in trees just below the canopy, particularly when singing. Confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Complex song is a sequence of melodious whistled stanzas, mostly upslurred at the start, and interspersed with quick “chew-chew-chew” phrases.
Mrs. Gould's Sunbird
Aethopyga gouldiae
Jewel-like male is bright scarlet with a blue tail and yellow underparts. Female is duller, with olive upperparts, yellow underparts, and a grayish head. Also note her pale rump, most easily seen when hovering. Forages actively, often congregating in flowering trees. A species of hill and montane forests and forest edge, breeding as high as 4250 meters. Calls include high thin “tzeeee” and sharp “tzit.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.