Mountain Barbet

A long, slender honeyeater of subalpine forest and shrubland in western New Guinea. All sooty gray-black plumage with a long tail and a fairly long, curved bill, 2 white tufts emanating from the base of the bill, and a yellow-orange wattle at the back of the eye. Sometimes some white scaling on the belly. Often seen perching on top of bushes. Similar to Sooty Melidectes, but Short-bearded Melidectes is larger and has a white beard. Gives a long, dry chatter.

Large trogon, shimmering emerald above with red belly. Male has a puffy tuft of feathers protruding from the forehead and clean white undertail which helps distinguish from similar Golden-headed Quetzal. Female has a brown head and mostly brown belly with a limited amount of green on the chest and red undertail coverts and lower belly. In all plumages, note red eye. Uncommon in subtropical forests and edges, often at slightly lower elevations than Golden-headed, but plenty of overlap. Tends to perch stolidly in the subcanopy and can be difficult to spot. Most often seen in the vicinity of a fruiting tree, singly or in pairs, although sometimes several birds can gather at a food source. Listen for mournful whistled song: “whoo, whoop,” given in widely spaced pairs, with emphasis on second note.

Medium-sized plover with a long hefty bill. Breeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females duller than males. Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.” Often confused with Lesser Sand-Plover, and best distinguished when both present; look for larger size, heavier and longer bill, paler legs, and larger-headed appearance. Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat. Breeds in high-elevation areas, where it favors arid, open habitats, sometimes near water. Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries.