Crinkle-collared Manucode
Manucodia chalybatus
A large bird of foothill and lower montane forest and scrub. All black with red eye, fairly long bill and tail. Purplish-blue iridescence on wings and tail and iridescent scaling on the chest and back. Shy, but sometimes seen at fruiting trees. Very similar to Jobi Manucode, but Crinkle-collared is usually found at higher elevations and has a characteristic bump on its head. Trumpet Manucode co-occurs but is smaller and has a loose mane of feathers around its neck. Voice, a low raspy “raag!” or low “oowak-oo!”. Call note is a low “wak!”.
Identification
The crinkle-collared manucode is medium-sized, up to 36 cm long, greenish blue, black and purple-glossed with a long graduated tail, red iris and iridescent green breast feathers. Both sexes are similar in appearance, however the female is slightly smaller and less purple. This species resembles the Jobi manucode in appearance, distinguished by its bronzed yellow-green neck feathers.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Manucodia chalybatus
- Authority
- (Pennant, 1781)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paradisaeidae
- Genus
- Manucodia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Yellow-browed Antbird
Hypocnemis hypoxantha
Rather small antbird with a disjunct distribution. Males have a yellow face and underparts with a black crown, eye-line, and streaks on the breast. Females have a yellow streaked crown. Southeastern subspecies has ochraceous lower underparts. Song is a descending and decelerating series of fluted notes becoming harsher at the end. Found in the understory of humid forests, often in areas of transitional forest or poor soils. Rarely accompanies mixed-species flocks. The similar Spix's and Peruvian Warbling-Antbirds have white breasts, and the song of Peruvian is somewhat slower-paced.
Gray-headed Robin
Heteromyias cinereifrons
Large, plump robin of montane rainforest. Both sexes olive brown above, with gray crown and breast, stark white throat, and white wing patch, prominent in flight. Upright stance, large size, intricate plumage, and pale pink legs distinctive. Usually feeds on or near the ground in rainforest of far northern Queensland.
Black Francolin
Francolinus francolinus
Strikingly patterned male is unmistakable with his jet-black face and breast, white cheek patch, dark rust-brown collar, and bright white spots. Brownish female has a small orange nape patch, pale throat, and dense black-and-white markings all over the body; compare with larger Gray Francolin. Occurs in dry grasslands, agricultural land, and weedy fields. Shier than other francolins; more often heard than seen. Usually solitary or in pairs. Male call is a peculiar, metallic-sounding “keek, keek, kek-ke-kek.” Native to Asia, from Turkey east to far eastern India and northern Myanmar; introduced to Hawaii.
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