Seram Friarbird

Philemon subcorniculatus

A very large honeyeater with a long dagger-like bill. Entirely gray-brown with a whitish collar and pink naked skin around the eye. Juveniles are less olive, showing some yellow feather edging above. Confined to the island of Seram, where it is found in lowlands and foothills in forest, plantations, mangroves, and sparsely wooded areas. Differs from Seram Oriole in showing bare skin around the eye and also in shape, as it is slightly larger and relatively longer-tailed, with a bill that tapers to a finer tip and a crown is often flattened, with a peak on the nape. Gives an explosive loud “k’PROW!” call.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Philemon subcorniculatus
Authority
(Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Philemon

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Long-tailed Woodnymph

Long-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania watertonii

Fairly large, slim hummingbird with a slightly forked tail and straight bill. Males have iridescent green and violet-blue plumage and females are green above and white below. Has a restricted distribution, occurring in coastal forests, plantations, and some wooded urban gardens. The similar male of Fork-tailed Woodnymph has a shorter tail and greener back, while females are difficult to tell apart, but ranges don’t overlap.

Black-and-white Bulbul

Black-and-white Bulbul

Microtarsus melanoleucos

While highly distinctive, this bulbul can be irruptive and moves in flocks over a wide range; it is thus infrequently encountered. Both sexes are dark with white shoulder patches; female is slightly browner. Moves through lowland and foothill evergreen forest and forest edge. Forages throughout all forest levels, but most common in upper levels, where it often gathers in the crowns of fruiting trees. Occasionally gives abrupt metallic ‘ching!’

Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher

Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus calopterus

Small, colorful flycatcher found in lowland and foothill rainforest. Ranges primarily in eastern Ecuador, but also reaches adjacent areas of southern Colombia and northern Peru. Black, white, gold, and chestnut plumage pattern is unique in range. Told from Common Tody-Flycatcher by yellow back and golden wing stripe. In southern Peru it is replaced by the similar Black-backed Tody-Flycatcher. Typically found in pairs that hide in tangles at forest edge or in overgrown clearings. Call is a short, dry trill, often given repeatedly by both members of the pair.

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