Violet-backed Hyliota

Shy inhabitant of thickets and dense grassy areas from subalpine scrub to above treeline. Male is gunmetal gray with a white brow, bright orange throat, and a black patch extending from the face down to the breast. Very similar to the closely related Chinese Rubythroat, which has a white moustachial stripe. Chinese Rubythroat female averages browner than female Himalayan, but is best identified by range; Chinese breeds in central and south-central China, while Himalayan breeds along the Himalayas, in Xinjiang, and in Central Asia. Female Himalayan has a weaker eyebrow than female Siberian Rubythroat, and is darker overall. 

A long-tailed bird of montane forest canopy. Male has much longer tail with iridescent green belly, black chest and small, iridescent blue throat patch. Female is blackish with indistinct barring on the belly. Feeds on fruit and searches for insects on mossy branches and epiphytes. Somewhat similar to Black Sicklebill but Arfak Astrapia lacks the long, curved bill. Call, a relatively low “clup!” that sounds somewhat like banging 2 large stones together.

A chunky black-and-white bushshrike. There is a white patch at the shoulder and the underparts are white with a pinkish tinge. Inhabits woodland, lush savanna, cultivation, and scrub. Found in pairs. Typically skulky, but occasionally hops about in the open. Similar to Black-backed Puffback, but much larger. Song is a synchronized duet in which the male gives a hollow rising whistle and the female gives a low ratcheting sound.