Black-chested Mountain Tanager

A little-known, highly unusual songbird confined to the island of Buru. Taxonomically confusing; formerly considered a white-eye, but now thought to be an abnormal, arboreal pipit. A plain-looking bird with dull olive upperside and gray upperparts, but with a diagnostic, conspicuous rust-colored throat. Inhabits stunted montane forest, where it behaves like a nuthatch, climbing up and down tree trunks, and often accompanies mixed-species flocks singly or in pairs. Only known vocalization is short, high-pitched, downslurred “zit” note.

Unmistakable large black swan with a red bill. When swimming this species is almost entirely black. Wings show extensive white flight feathers when flying. Juveniles are similar but dark-gray. In Australia, compare with Magpie Goose, which has white belly, and white underwing with black tips. Typically found along inland waterways, rivers, sewage ponds, and coastal lagoons and inlets. Sometimes flocks together in enormous numbers on large wetlands.

A distinctive small kingfisher, white below with greenish-blue wings and a purplish-blue back. Shows a greenish cheek, a black eye-stripe extending behind the head, and an orange-rufous cap. Found in a wide variety of habitats including mangroves, wooded lowlands, plantations, and large gardens. Replaced by Pacific Kingfisher on the coast, but unlikely to be confused with it. Relatively quiet, but often gives a chattering ”che-che-che, che-kreek, kreek, kreek” at dawn and dusk.