Rusty-winged Starling

Aplonis zelandica

A rather small, pale grayish-brown starling, paler on Vanikoro, with a smudgy black patch in front of the eye and distinctive rusty wings. Found in forest and secondary growth, especially montane forest. Similar to Polynesian Starling, but paler above, with a dark eye and more uniform wings. Common call is a melodious “zee-twee.”

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Aplonis zelandica
Authority
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Sturnidae
Genus
Aplonis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Visayan Tailorbird

Visayan Tailorbird

Orthotomus castaneiceps

A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense tangled undergrowth in lowland forest. Has olive-green wings and tail, a pale belly, a gray back of the neck, a gray back, and a gray chest with streaks. Note rufous cap and orange legs. Somewhat similar to leaf-warblers, but has a longer bill and a rufous cap. Song consists of a medium-pitched, whistled melody, “plik-wod plick-wee,” sometimes given in duet. Also gives downslurred nasal scolds.

African Citril

African Citril

Crithagra citrinelloides

A small seedeater with a sharp bill and a forked tail. The upperparts are olive-green and the underparts yellow. Males have a black face and plain yellow underparts. Females have a plain face, but are heavily streaked below. Found at middle and high elevations in a variety of habitats including forest edge, gardens, cultivation, moist scrub, and woodland. Usually in small flocks. Similar to Southern Citril, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and the male is easily separated by its black face. The song is a fast jumble of high-pitched twitters and whistles. 

Guianan Red-Cotinga

Guianan Red-Cotinga

Phoenicircus carnifex

Handsome but seldom-seen cotinga of lowland rainforest. Males are brilliant red and dark rich brown; females are duller but identifiable by red and brown plumage and manakin-like shape. Occurs in mid-story and canopy, where they are usually seen alone. Feeds on fruit which it takes in short sallies from a nearby perch. In limited area of overlap with Black-necked Red-Cotinga, note Guianan’s browner plumage and less clean-cut appearance. Generally quiet; male display sounds include a high-pitched wing whirring and short, explosive calls, both of which may be heard away from display sites.

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