Sulawesi Brown Flycatcher

Muscicapa sodhii

A recently described streak-throated brown flycatcher. Gray-brown above and pale whitish below with broad breast streaks and a dirty throat. Note upright posture. Singles and pairs inhabit middle to upper levels of forest, forest edges, and degraded areas in lowlands and foothills. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Restricted to Sulawesi. Longer-billed, shorter-tailed, darker, and plainer-faced than Gray-streaked Flycatcher, lacking obvious eye-ring and moustache, and lacking clean throat. Gives a complex, very high-pitched song composed of whistles, chirps, buzzes, and trills, with little repetition.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Muscicapa sodhii
Authority
Harris, JBC, Rasmussen, Yong, Prawiradilaga, Putra, Round & Rheindt, 2014
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Muscicapidae
Genus
Muscicapa

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Fine-spotted Woodpecker

Fine-spotted Woodpecker

Campethera punctuligera

A mid-sized, green-backed woodpecker. Males have a red crown and moustache; females have a white-streaked black forecrown, a red hindcrown, and a white-spotted black moustache. Varies geographically; in most of the range, the underparts are plain buff with some fine speckling, but in the eastern part of the range, the underparts are white with bold spotting. Found in savanna habitats, including broadleaf Guinea savanna and dry thorn savanna. Usually in pairs, which give a series of “kreek” notes in a loud duet. Very similar to Nubian Woodpecker in the narrow zone where their ranges meet, but Fine-spotted is distinguished by having a less streaked face and less heavily marked underparts. Similar overall to Golden-tailed Woodpecker, but has spotted rather than streaked underparts.

Velvety Manakin

Velvety Manakin

Lepidothrix velutina

Small, short-tailed bird found in lowland and foothill rainforest. Male is easy to identify with his glossy black body and azure crown. Female is mostly lime green with a yellowish belly; her plumage is much greener than other similar species such as Choco Manakin and female Red-capped Manakin. Most common call is a short, ringing trill. Male’s display song is a buzzy “purwit!”. Usually seen at lower to middle levels in the forest, plucking berries from fruiting trees. Formerly called Blue-crowned Manakin before that species was split. Velvety Manakin’s range includes Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia, and northwestern Ecuador.

Slaty-bellied Tesia

Slaty-bellied Tesia

Tesia olivea

Charming tiny bird, brightly-colored but difficult to see as it forages quietly in dense undergrowth. Olive-yellow above and dark gray below, with a dark line through the eye and a bright yellowish crown. The very similar Gray-bellied Tesia has a paler belly, a distinct yellowish eyebrow, and a darker greenish crown. Slaty-bellied breeds in foothill and montane forest and winters at lower elevations. Frequents dark damp areas, often near streams or fern beds. Song is a series of high thin whistles followed by a jumble of warbled notes, longer and more complex than Gray-bellied Tesia’s similar song. Gives sharp chirping call notes, as well as loud rattles.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.