Rufous-backed Redstart

A poorly known barn-owl confined to Buru Island and the Tanimbar Islands. The pale buff face is surrounded by a conspicuous heart-shaped dark border. Underparts range from whitish on Tanimbar to buff on Buru, with scattered, well spaced dark spots and speckles. Upperparts, nape, and crown dark brownish with scattered buff markings and white spots. Thought to inhabit forests in lowlands and foothills. Readily recognized, being the only barn-owl species in range. Gives a harsh hissing call, characteristic of barn-owl family.

A stunning blue-and-white kingfisher with entirely blue upperparts in both sexes. Female has white throat and pale blue breast and belly, but male shows more white, with pale blue confined to belly. Juvenile resembles dull male, with buff throat, spot near bill, and speckled breast and collar. Found singly and in pairs in lowland wooded areas, including cultivated areas and mangroves. Pale blue underside is unique among kingfishers in its limited south Moluccan range. Rowdy vocalizations include repetitive “ker-chick” series and “ki-ki-ki-ki…” calls.

Predominantly gray species with a long tail and pink legs. Note the darker gray crown and paler eyebrow. Found principally in shaded cacao plantations or adjacent remnant forests across a very restricted range. Forages acrobatically in the canopy and subcanopy and often accompanies mixed-species flocks. Builds a large stick nest.