Isabelline Bush-hen
Amaurornis isabellina
A large, long-legged rail with rich chestnut underparts, duller brown upperparts, a greenish bill, and greenish-yellow legs. Typically encountered in pairs or small groups within dense, rank grassland or thick scrub, in the lowlands and lower hills on Sulawesi. In its limited range, most likely to be confused with female Watercock, but the bush-hen lacks any markings on the upperside and has brighter, chestnut-colored underparts. Noisy, giving harsh “tak-tak-tak-tak” calls in addition to rasping “groOw-groOw-groOw…”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Amaurornis isabellina
- Authority
- (Schlegel, 1865)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Amaurornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Nankeen Night Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus
Stocky heron that roosts in groups in tall trees, usually beside water (including mangroves). Adult is rufous with pale breast and a black cap. Immature is heavy streaked, and can be easily confused with Striated Heron (black crown), Black Bittern (darker, with yellow neck stripe), or Australasian Bittern (which is a much larger bird).
Rufous-collared Robin
Turdus rufitorques
Large, bulky thrush of highlands south of Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Found in pine-oak forest, adjacent farmland, and villages. Feeds on the ground in fields and also in fruiting trees and bushes. Often perches atop exposed tall standing dead trees early and late in the day. Male striking and unmistakable, if seen well. Female and immature male are paler and browner overall, with subdued rusty collar and breast. Some immature females have almost no rusty, but note yellow bill and legs and white streaks on feathers under base of tail.
Rufous Fieldwren
Calamanthus campestris
Small bird of open arid shrubland and grasslands. Pale brown above, whitish below, with distinct pale supercilium, faint chest streaking, and long, cocked tail. Forages quietly on the ground or in thick vegetation, where difficult to see. Most easily observed when males sing in spring, as they perch up in the vegetation. Similar to Western Fieldwren but no range overlap. Compare Shy Heathwren, which has a white wing spot and darker legs.
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