Nightingale Island Finch
Nesospiza questi
A small lemon-olive finch with a gray patch in front of the eye. Female is smaller, duller, and streakier than the male. Juvenile resembles female but is browner and streakier. An abundant endemic throughout Nightingale Island and small adjacent islands, preferring tussock grass. Male’s song is high-pitched and sharp, an often repeated “wheet-whuu”; female answers with a whistle. The much larger and rarer Wilkins’s Finch has a deep grosbeak-like bill and a slower song, and is more restricted to wooded parts of the island than Nightingale Island Finch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nesospiza questi
- Authority
- Lowe, 1923
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Thraupidae
- Genus
- Nesospiza
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Black-tailed Flycatcher
Myiobius atricaudus
A fairly small flycatcher with a large distribution from Costa Rica to Brazil. Like other members of the Myiobius genus, has a relatively long, dark tail and a blazing yellow rump. Extremely similar to Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, which is usually found in more mature forest and has a darker breast. Black-tailed is more likely to be found around forest edge or second growth, but there is overlap. Singles or pairs forage in the understory, often following mixed-species flocks. Often fans its tail. Listen for dry “whit” call.

Sahul Sunbird
Cinnyris frenatus
Tiny and active sunbird of forest edges, parks, and gardens; ranges from Sulawesi east to the northern Moluccas, New Guinea, and northeastern Australia. Both sexes have a plain olive back, a yellow belly, and white tail edges that are flared out in flight. The male flashes an iridescent blue throat while the female has a yellow throat and eyebrow. In parts of range, female Sahul may be confused with female Black Sunbird; note that species’ unmarked gray head and shorter, less curved bill. Gives a buzzy, twittering song, as well as a rising “dwee”, a familiar sound even in cities. Formerly grouped with other, closely related species under “Olive-backed Sunbird.”

Napo Sabrewing
Campylopterus villaviscensio
Large, dark hummingbird found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Ranges from far southern Colombia south to northern Peru. Male has large blue patch on throat and breast, and a glittering green crown. Female has gray underparts; she is similar to Gray-breasted Sabrewing but has narrower white tail tips. Also note white spot behind eye. Infrequently encountered, though does visit feeders in some areas.
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