Sulawesi White-eye

Zosterops consobrinorum

A small songbird with a bold white eye-ring, dark eyes, a green back and forehead, a yellow throat and base to undertail, and a white belly. Groups and pairs roam woods, forest edges and patches, gardens, cultivated spaces, and scrub. Confined to lowlands of southeast Sulawesi. Occurs at lower elevations than Warbling White-eye, and differs from it in the dark eye and green forehead. Separated from Lemon-bellied White-eye by the white belly. Gives a slow-paced, high-pitched descending tinkling song, “chi-chiwit-chit-cher-cher.” Also high “zit” notes.

Taxonomy

Although not yet recognized as a subspecies of the pale-bellied white-eye, in 2003 a similar bird was discovered near the village of Wanci on Wangi-wangi Island and provisionally named the Wangi-Wangi white-eye (Zosterops sp. nov.). This island is its only known home and is part of the Tukangbesi Islands to the southeast of Sulawesi in Indonesia.<p>The Wangi-Wangi white-eye has a number of differences from the pale-bellied white-eye including larger size, a black body, a long yellow beak, a gray breast and pale feet. Like most white-eyes it has a white ring around the eye and green upperparts.

Scientific name
Zosterops consobrinorum
Authority
Meyer, AB, 1904
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Zosteropidae
Genus
Zosterops

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Steel-blue Whydah

Steel-blue Whydah

Vidua hypocherina

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Black-cheeked and Black-faced Waxbills. As with other whydahs, breeding males are distinctive, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are glossy blue-black with elongated central tail feathers. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, a heavily striped face, and a whitish bill and legs. Generally uncommon in rather dry savanna and woodland. Non-breeding male and female can be cautiously separated from other whydahs and indigobirds by their pale bill and legs. Not very vocal, but does imitate the waxbills that it parasitizes. 

Sharp-tailed Ibis

Sharp-tailed Ibis

Cercibis oxycerca

A medium-sized wading bird, mostly black with a red bill and legs. Relatively long tail projection imparts a long-bodied appearance which is enhanced by its short legs. At close range, note bare red throat and orbital skin. Occurs in open wetlands and seasonally flooded savannas, usually in pairs or small groups, probing in mud, shallow water, or soft ground for invertebrates and fish. Unusual, far-carrying call is a single, horn-like note, often given in duet by pairs, with one higher-pitched than the other; the overall effect is like the braying of a donkey. Larger and longer-tailed than Bare-faced Ibis, much more vocal, and does not occur in large groups.

Chestnut-breasted Partridge

Chestnut-breasted Partridge

Arborophila mandellii

Ornate partridge of east Himalayan foothill forests. Often in areas with dense bamboo stands. Note black-and-white “necklace” and dark rusty-red head and chest. Like many other Arborophila partridges, can be elusive and difficult to see in the gloom of the forest floor; instead, listen for its song, a far-carrying slow series of rising whistles or short whistled phrases, often slightly burry.

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