Caroline Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus syrinx

Medium-sized drab brown endemic of Micronesia’s Caroline Islands, where it inhabits a range of habitats, from native forest to degraded coastal scrub and patches of tall grass. Capable of persisting on even tiny coral atolls if there is sufficient vegetation. Often forages in dense bushes or grasses, but also ventures onto the ground and into the treetops. Song is a rather pleasant series of whistles, warbles, trills and chatters, often with repeating notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Acrocephalus syrinx
Authority
(Kittlitz, 1833)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Acrocephalidae
Genus
Acrocephalus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Tristram's Storm-Petrel

Tristram's Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates tristrami

Dark brown, fork-tailed seabird of the northwestern and central Pacific, where it breeds on Japanese and Hawaiian islands. Generally forages far offshore and does not associate with boats. Dark chocolate-brown overall with prominent pale carpal bars. In optimal light, rump is slightly paler than the plumage of the back and tail, unlike in Markham’s and Leach’s Storm-Petrels; in fresh plumage, note gray sheen to head and back. Lacks the distinctively pale primary shafts of Matsudaira's and Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrels.

Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Squat, cryptically-plumaged shorebird with a very long bill. Inhabits a wide range of wetland habitats, from damp meadows to saltmarshes. Mostly inconspicuous, feeding in muddy ground by probing with its bill, usually near reeds or other grassy cover. Often not seen until flushed, when it usually rises from fairly close range with a rough rasping call. Breeding birds are more conspicuous, perching on fence posts. In display flight, birds stoop from high overhead and produce a pulsating, bleating sound from air passing through their fanned tail. In Asia, beware of extremely similar Pin-tailed, Swinhoe's, and Latham's Snipes, all of which lack the white trailing edge of Common and have a slower, less erratic flight.

White-bearded Greenbul

White-bearded Greenbul

Criniger ndussumensis

A medium-sized greenbul often found in flocks in forest and forest edge with other bearded-greenbuls. Like all bearded-greenbuls, will sometimes puff out throat feathers. Often forages actively along trunks and large branches. Shows a grayish head, a bright white throat, yellow-green underparts, and olive-green upperparts with a reddish tail. Nearly identical to Red-tailed Greenbul, and can occur with it in the same mixed-species flocks in Central Africa. Not all individuals can be safely identified. Listen for White-bearded Greenbul’s distinctive calls as it forages on large branches and trunks, and look for its duller red tail and, at close range, its thinner, smaller bill and more slender build. A vocal species, frequently giving “hut-TYER-CHUR!” or similar short, gruff calls. 

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