Beesley's Lark
Chersomanes beesleyi
A sociable upright lark with a short decurved bill and a diagnostic short white-tipped tail. The upperparts are dark and scaly; the throat and eyebrow are paler than the warm ear patch and buffy underparts. Resident in treeless short-grass plains in two very restricted patches of habitat of less than ten square kilometers each in the rain shadow of Mt. Meru, where small groups of 3–6 forage for invertebrates and seeds. Flies low with a bobbing flight pattern, generally for only short distances before dropping suddenly to the ground. Calls include a characteristic quavering trill “trrrri-trrri-trrri-trrri” and other soft contact calls.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chersomanes beesleyi
- Authority
- Benson, 1966
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Chersomanes
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Taczanowski's Ground-Tyrant
Muscisaxicola griseus
Ashy gray flycatcher with a strong white eyebrow that perches upright on the ground. Found in high-elevation grasslands and pastures. Larger size and more upright posture give it a taller appearance than the similar Cinereous Ground-Tyrant; the long white eyebrow that extends to or past the eye is also a good distinguishing feature (it is much shorter or absent in Cinereous). Does not have a crown patch as many other ground-tyrants do.
Brown Woodland-Warbler
Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Small brownish warbler. Dull greenish on the back and buffy brown below. The bright yellow-green edges to the wing feathers can be conspicuous. Found in montane forest, mostly in the mid-story and canopy. Like other woodland-warblers, active and always on the move. The distinctive song consists of quick up-and-down series which are repeated with slight variations after a short pause. Similar to Red-faced Woodland-Warbler, but darker on the belly, with less red on the face and throat.
Spangled Honeyeater
Melipotes ater
A large, common, honeyeater of montane forests on the Huon Peninsular. Blackish with a paler throat and long tail. Chest and belly covered in white spots in a half-moon shape. Large irregular-shaped, bare, yellow facial skin that can flush to red. Somewhat sociable, being found in small to large groups. Huon Melidectes is a similar size but has a very different face. Calls, squeals and parrotlike squawks.
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