Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
A tiny nondescript bird with a pale and bulky curved bill. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent where it can occur in any habitat that is not too dry, too wet, or too high. Shows a particular fondness for Singapore Cherry berries. Often only seen in flight making a fast “thik-thik” call that recalls Nilgiri or Plain Flowerpecker. Songs include a unique high-pitched trill. When not singing, a view of the bill is essential to identify the species in any region where either of Nilgiri or Plain flowerpecker is also present.
Identification
This is a tiny bird, 8 cm long, and is one of the smallest birds occurring in most parts of southern India and Sri Lanka. The bird is plain brownish to olive green. The underside is buff olive and does not contrast greatly with the upperparts and not whitish as in the Nilgiri flowerpecker of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri hills nor is it streaked as in the thick-billed flowerpecker. The Nilgiri flowerpecker has a pale supercilium unlike this species which has no marking on the head. The Sri Lankan race ceylonense Babault, 1920 - is greyer and smaller than the nominate race of peninsular India. It has been considered one of the early flowerpeckers, originating in the Malay Peninsula, to colonize the Indian Subcontinent.
Taxonomy
Genus: Dicaeum; Family: Dicaeidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Dicaeidae
- Genus
- Dicaeum
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Eleothreptus anomalus
While perched, appears to be an unassuming nightjar: rather small, short-tailed, and largely gray with dark brown spots. In flight, males are spectacular, with unique flight feathers forming the “sickle” wing shape. Females lack these modified wing feathers. Usually found close to water, around gallery forest; in some areas also in grassland and marshes. The call is a repetition of very subtle “chip” notes.
Sumba Hornbill
Rhyticeros everetti
A small black hornbill with an ivory-colored bill that has a reddish smudge at the base and a knob on top. There is a pale blue pouch of skin below the bill. Males have a rich chestnut neck that becomes a darker burnt red around the face and top of the head. Females have black necks and heads. Juveniles resemble male, with a smaller bill. Confined to Sumba, where it is the only hornbill. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, where it frequents the treetops singly or in groups. Calls include a fast-paced, emphatic “kokokokokokok…”.
Racket-tailed Treepie
Crypsirina temia
Glossy black corvid with a long, broad-tipped tail and brilliant blue eyes. Plumage shines glossy blue-green in good lighting. Small black mask encloses the eye and bill base. Compare Ratchet-tailed Treepie, which is darker-eyed and has a tail shaped like a chainsaw. Clambers and jumps through the vegetation, singly or in pairs or occasionally small flocks, in open lowland and foothill forests and forest edges. Gives various rasping, croaking, and nasal notes.
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