Halmahera Oriole
Oriolus phaeochromus
A nondescript, uniformly earth-brown medium-sized bird with a stout bill. Sexes alike. Singles and pairs can be found in the upper levels of forest, forest edge, mangroves, and nearby cultivated areas in lowlands and foothills. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Differs from the similarly dark brown White-streaked Friarbird in its consistently uniform appearance, lacking any streaking or pale markings on the head. Gives a rollicking, fluty call, “ke-ke-KWEEOW.” First two notes can be barely audible, but last note powerful and loud.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Oriolus phaeochromus
- Authority
- Gray, GR, 1861
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Oriolidae
- Genus
- Oriolus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Bay Wren
Cantorchilus nigricapillus
Medium-sized wren; strikingly patterned if seen well. Rufous above with complex black-and-white face markings; clean white throat. Some populations have clean rufous flanks, others barred black-and-white. Black cap and nape give it a hooded appearance. Often stays hidden in tangles and thickets at forest edge or second growth, often near water. Difficult to get a clear look at. Listen for loud, ringing song, often given as a duet.

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper
Glyphorynchus spirurus
Very small woodcreeper of evergreen forest in humid tropical lowlands and foothills. Creeps up trunks, often in spirals, picking at the bark for food, then flies low to another tree before hitching upwards again. Forages on fairly large trunks as well as slender trees. Often travels with mixed-species feeding flocks. Note the short, wedge-shaped bill and pale buffy breast spotting.

Coscoroba Swan
Coscoroba coscoroba
A distinctive white swan with a bright, rather ducklike bill. The black wingtips are usually concealed when swimming. Most likely to be confused with white domestic waterfowl. Fairly common but sometimes local on lakes, slow-moving rivers, wetlands with open water, estuaries, and inshore coastal waters. Often in groups and associates readily with Black-necked Swan. Cygnets are dirty brownish with a black face mask, but young look much like adults within a month or two after hatching. Name comes from slightly gruff, honking “kós-ko roa” call.
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