Flores Sea Sunbird

Large, terrestrial bird of lowland forest; unlike anything else in range. Appears all dark with paler belly; note long tail, heavy bill, and bare red skin around eye. Uncommon and shy; usually seen alone, on or near the ground, fleeing swiftly on foot at the slightest disturbance. Follows army ant swarms and herds of peccaries to prey on insects and small vertebrates flushed by the animals’ activities. Frequently snaps bill in alarm or while foraging. Far-carrying song is a single, gruff hoot, somewhat recalling Zigzag Heron, repeated at long intervals.

A nondescript thick-billed, sparrow-sized songbird. Uniform grayish-brown above and paler below, with a white throat and dull pale underparts. Juveniles have pale bills and a faintly streaked breast. Singles, pairs, or family groups can be found in forest, scrub, or mangroves in the lowlands and hills. Confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. Smaller and notably smaller-billed than female Yellow-throated Whisler, and lacks throat streaking of female Wallacean Whistler. Song consists of loud whistles increasing in volume, such as “pi-pi-pi-pi-CHWEE” or “doo-doo-doo…DEE.” Also gives “swee” notes.

Unique pink wading bird with long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. Adults are mostly pink overall, with scarlet wing patches, orange tail, and bare pale-green head. Immatures are duller than adults but still washed with pale pink. Sometimes mistaken for a flamingo, but note spoonbill's distinctive bill, shorter legs, and shorter neck. Occurs in freshwater and saltwater wetlands from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through much of South America. Feeds by sifting side-to-side through shallow water. Often in small loose groups, sometimes with other wading birds like storks and herons.