Jameson's Firefinch

Unusual and pretty member of the waxbill family. Shows fine olive-green barring below, yellow edges to the wing feathers, and red on the tail. Generally scarce and inconspicuous. Found in the understory of moist habitats, including miombo and other lush woodland, and in forest edge. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Calls include inconspicuous “tew”, “tip”, and rasping notes. Similar to Green-winged Pytilia but found in moister habitats and separated by finer barring below, yellow wing edges, and different pattern of red on the face of the males.

Shy and surprisingly difficult to find in mixed and conifer woodland, where it runs quickly from detected disturbance. Red-and-gold male stunning and unmistakable. Female differs from Common Pheasant in strongly barred plumage, dull pinkish (not gray) legs and feet and from Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in lighter barring, more orangeish coloration, and the lack of a bare patch of gray skin behind the eye. Native to China but introduced very locally in Britain and Hawaii; however, captive birds might escape anywhere.

A small brown songbird with a long tail, often held cocked or fanned. Upperparts largely rufous except for a grayer head with a pale brow. Shows a white throat and uniform buff underparts. Inhabits lowland forest and sometimes mangroves. Confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Told from Arafura Fantail by the lack of a white tip to the tail and the absence of a black breast patch. Gives a distinctive, repetitive, see-sawing two-note song phrase, “wee-oo-wee-oo-wee-oo,” rising on the first note, falling on the second. Also gives nasal jittering calls.