Green-backed Kingfisher

A small-bodied, mostly brown dove with a long tail and a short stout black bill. Heavily barred tail and rump are diagnostic. Found from sea level to 2600 meters of elevation, usually singly or in pairs at forest edge, though groups of up to 20 can sometimes be found feeding on fruiting trees. Very similar to both Brown Cuckoo-Dove in New Guinea and MacKinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove in the Solomon Islands. Male Brown Cuckoo-Dove differs in being bigger with a grayish head and iridescent green neck patch, female has thick black under tail crescents. MacKinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove is a similar size but is a lighter tan color on the body showing contrast with the darker chestnut wings, whereas Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove is uniformly ruddy brown. It also differs from both species in its barred uppertail and rump. Commonly vocal and most often heard giving a rapid series of around twelve “woi” notes.

A fairly small, uncommon honeyeater of lowland and foothill forest canopy. Olive-colored with large, bright yellow gape and small pale yellow ear spot. Southern and eastern birds have yellowish legs. Co-occurs with several similar species but Yellow-gaped has a more prominent yellow streak in the base of the bill than others. Call, a repeated “wipwipwip…” and a “chup” like other similar species.

A tiny purplish-blue bird with a chestnut cap, a soft pink belly, and a pale brow that is not always prominent, and more often grayish than white. Lacks the pale head of Crested Tit-Warbler. Breeds in high-altitude forests and scrub, but descends into foothills in the winter. Usually seen singly, in small flocks, or as a part of mixed flocks. Gives high crisp-sounding notes, usually in pairs.