Vanikoro Whistler

A large bird of foothill forest and edge. The national bird of PNG. Both sexes have a black chest and yellow eyes. Males have red or orange plumes, depending on the race, which are raised above the back during the display, in which he leans forward and flicks his wings. Overlaps slightly with Greater, Lesser and Emperor birds-of-paradise but Raggiana male has reddish rather than white plumes. Raggiana female is distinguished by its combination of yellow eye and yellow back of the head. Male gives a repeated, nasal squawk, typical of the group.

Noisy and well-named jay of Andean cloud forest. Range is mostly confined to Ecuador, but it does reach adjacent areas of Colombia and Peru. Plumage is bright turquoise-blue with a black mask, black breast band, and whitish forecrown. Very similar to Black-collared Jay (limited range overlap), but brighter blue, especially on crown and throat. Told from Beautiful Jay by the breast band and lack of dark gray on back and breast. Small groups move conspicuously through the forest giving an impressive variety of calls, including screeches, churrs, and mews.

A canopy flycatcher, often found high above the ground in areas with continuous forest, away from the forest edge. True to its name, this flycatcher is mostly olive-brown with a pale throat, a pale vent, and dark grayish legs. Distinguished from other African flycatchers by its preference for the canopy, its voice, and its overall indistinct coloration and patterning. Call is a high-pitched rising “tseee!” and the song is a complex jumble of clear whistles and buzzy notes.