White-eared Myza

Myza sarasinorum

A medium-sized brownish songbird with a conspicuous, diagnostic white mark below the eye. Body is lightly streaked and speckled, and underparts in North Sulawesi show a rufous wash. A montane species, generally preferring higher elevations than Dark-eared Myza, occurring in singles and pairs in the understory of forest and heath, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Larger than Dark-eared Myza, lacking the complete eye-ring of that species. The prominent white patch below the eye is the best identification feature. Often gives calls including an incessant whiny “kit-kit-kit…”.

Identification

The white-eared myza or greater Sulawesi honeyeater (Myza sarasinorum) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae, with only its sharp calls revealing its presence. The white-eared myza is approximately 20 cm long. It is endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is regularly observed by specialised birding tours at Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi. Field observers have remarked on its squirrel-like behaviour as it scurries about the branches of moss-laden trees. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane, usually between 1700 and 2800 metres.

Taxonomy

Genus: Myza; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Myza sarasinorum
Authority
Meyer, AB & Wiglesworth, 1895
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Myza

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Collared Myna

Collared Myna

Acridotheres albocinctus

A dark myna with a creamy collar. Generally uncommon throughout its restricted range; often found on agricultural fields and on the outskirts of villages and rural towns. Usually mixes with other myna and starling species, particularly Crested and Great Mynas, in whose flocks it tends to be a minority, but its prominent smudgy collar makes it readily identifiable even from a distance.

Bare-cheeked Trogon

Bare-cheeked Trogon

Apaloderma aequatoriale

A trogon of lowland rainforests, almost always found in the forest interior, away from forest edges. Males and females have distinctive bare yellow facial skin below their eyes and between their eyes and bill. Both sexes have green backs and uppertails, red chests and vents, and finely barred wings. The species often calls motionless in the subcanopy, giving a series of 6-10 sad, descending coo notes, repeating these series 2-3 times per minute. Similar to the larger Narina Trogon, but Bare-cheeked Trogon is told apart by its song, its closed-canopy forest habitat, and the purely green tones on its head, back, and uppertail.

White-fronted Ground-Tyrant

White-fronted Ground-Tyrant

Muscisaxicola albifrons

Largest ground-tyrant, usually identified readily by (relatively) big size and high Andean range. Usually seen as singles or pairs foraging on bogs, but also ranges into adjacent rocky puna habitats. Plumage rather plain overall with contrasting dirty whitish forehead patch; pale wing edgings create distinctive “frosty-winged” appearance in flight. Confusion only likely with smaller Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant, on which ochre nape can be hard to see.

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