Visayan Blue-Fantail
Rhipidura samarensis
A fairly small, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest on Bohol, Leyte, and Samar islands. Overall dull blue in color with a paler belly. Often pumps tail up and down. Forages in the understory for insects and often joins mixed-species flocks. Similar in size and shape to Celestial, Short-crested, and Black-naped Monarchs, but darker blue with a contrasting pale blue brow, tail, and wing patch. Song is a slightly ascending series of medium-pitched, upslurred whistled notes, increasing in volume. Also gives a nasal, buzzing “gew!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura samarensis
- Authority
- (Steere, 1890)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Genus
- Rhipidura
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Stripe-faced Wood-Quail
Odontophorus balliviani
Chunky, dark brown quail of cloud forest and elfin forest. Dark brown body is spotted white below; black bandit mask and reddish crown are distinctive. May be found singly, in pairs, or in small groups. Quite secretive, and often goes undetected until flushed suddenly from nearly underfoot. Forages on the ground, climbing over mossy tree roots and scraping aside leaves with its feet to look for small prey. Listen for its low caroling song given at dusk, an often duetted “dwee-put, dwee-put….”
Black Swift
Cypseloides niger
Large swift with long, angular, and pointed wings. Entirely black, sometimes with faint pale scaling on belly and forehead. Often fans tail in flight. Seen singly or in small flocks, usually in hilly or mountainous areas. Breeds on cliffs, often behind waterfalls. Slower wingbeats than other swifts. Chattering call notes lower-pitched than other swifts in range.
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.
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