Pine Flycatcher

Empidonax affinis

Small flycatcher of pine-oak forest and edge in highlands; often in clearings and orchards with small deciduous trees (often not in pines). Other Empidonax flycatchers occur alongside Pine Flycatcher, especially very similar Dusky and Hammond’s Flycatchers, which are winter migrants. On Pine, note the bright pale teardrop-shaped eyering similar to Hammond’s and an entirely pale orangish underside to the bill (like Cordilleran Flycatcher, which is greener and has a broader bill ). Call is a rather quiet “pwip,” somewhat similar to Dusky but very distinct from Hammond’s.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Empidonax affinis
Authority
(Swainson, 1827)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Empidonax

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pale-breasted Illadopsis

Pale-breasted Illadopsis

Illadopsis rufipennis

A chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab babbler with a white throat and brownish breast. Found in the understory of rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually in small groups. Shy and skulking; rarely seen unless searched for. Very similar to Brown Illadopsis, but slightly different vocally, with higher and more inflected whistles. Also slightly paler below and more richly colored above, with a cleaner white throat. Most often detected by voice. The highly variable song consists of single-note pure whistles or short whistled phrases separated by pauses, often in a three-note ascending series; listen for a haunting clear monotone whistle. Also gives scolding calls, sometimes accompanying the whistled song.

Somali Crow

Somali Crow

Corvus edithae

An entirely black crow with a fairly thick, raven-like bill. Found in a variety of dry country habitats, including savanna, thornscrub, desert, towns, and cultivated areas. Often in small flocks. Similar to Fan-tailed Raven, but has a different shape, especially in flight, with a much longer tail. Very similar to Brown-necked Raven, but smaller, and there is little overlap in range. Typical birds look very different from Pied Crow, but these two species sometimes hybridize, producing birds with white blotching on the back and underparts. The calls are typical rough cawing notes. 

Solomons Corella

Solomons Corella

Cacatua ducorpsii

A rather small corella-type cockatoo. An entirely white, short-tailed, noisy parrot with light blue bare skin around the eyes. Chest and belly often stained slightly brownish. Undertail and underwing yellowish in flight, but difficult to see. Often raises tall white crest. Found in most types of forest up to 1700 meters of elevation. Unmistakable within its range. Voice loud and obtrusive, including a harsh croaking “reh-reh.”

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