Little Shrikethrush (Variable)
Colluricincla megarhyncha [fortis Group]
A chunky bird with a thick bill. Quite plain: brownish on the back, grayish on the head, and paler below, with indistinct breast streaking. Color of the underparts varies geographically from dull rufous to whitish-buff. Found at low and middle elevations in humid forest, including secondary forest. Rich, melodious, variable song consists of several penetrating whistles, generally in an up-and-down pattern. Calls include “chek” notes. Somewhat similar to Rusty Pitohui, but smaller, with a dark rather than pale eye. Also similar to Gray Shrikethrush, but smaller, shorter-tailed, and browner, with a darker face. Could be confused with female Black Shrikethrush, but always smaller and paler.
Identification
A chunky bird with a thick bill. Quite plain: brownish on the back, grayish on the head, and paler below, with indistinct breast streaking. Color of the underparts varies geographically from dull rufous to whitish-buff. Found at low and middle elevations in humid forest, including secondary forest. Rich, melodious, variable song consists of several penetrating whistles, generally in an up-and-down pattern. Calls include “chek” notes. Somewhat similar to Rusty Pitohui, but smaller, with a dark rather than pale eye. Also similar to Gray Shrikethrush, but smaller, shorter-tailed, and browner, with a darker face. Could be confused with female Black Shrikethrush, but always smaller and paler.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly considered a conspecific member of the little shrikethrush complex. Genetic investigations of New Guinea populations of the little shrikethrush indicate high levels of genetic divergence, suggesting it comprised more than one species.<p>Currently, three subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Colluricincla megarhyncha [fortis Group]
- Authority
- (Gadow, 1883)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pachycephalidae
- Genus
- Colluricincla
Range and habitat
It is found in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Photos
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Terenura maculata
Tiny hyperactive antwren of the canopy in humid forest and second growth, where it often follows mixed-species flocks. Males are heavily streaked on the head and flanks with a rufous back, dark wings with pale yellowish underparts below. Females are similar, but are paler overall with a buffy throat and buffier streaking on the head. The song is a dry rattle.
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Large woodcreeper found in humid and montane forests and woodlands including woodland edges and gallery forests. The bill is medium length and fairly straight. Like many woodcreepers, it is largely rufous-brown, but it has buff streaks on the head, neck, throat, and upper back. The belly is marked with dark horizontal bars. Occasionally associated with army-ant swarms and regularly follows mixed-species flocks. The song is a repetition of 5–8 “whip-whip-whip” notes.
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