Blue-masked Leafbird
Chloropsis venusta
The smallest and most unique-looking of the leafbirds. Stout-bodied, with a relatively long, faintly curved bill. Both sexes have a blue face and yellowish-green belly; males also have an orangish chest and purplish throat. Endemic to Sumatran foothill forests, where it is typically encountered in pairs up in the canopy. Songs include a high-pitched jumble of notes and a repetitive squeaky “tsi’wee, tsi’wee”; calls include a dry “chit” and a sputtering rattle.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chloropsis venusta
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1850)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Chloropseidae
- Genus
- Chloropsis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Streaked Spiderhunter
Arachnothera magna
A large and noisy inhabitant of tropical and subtropical hill forests. Distinctive in its range; a large spiderhunter with a long, curved black bill and black streaking all over its yellow-green upperparts and lighter yellow underparts. Gleans invertebrates from foliage, but also hovers around and probes into flowers for nectar. Often moves with mixed flocks. Calls frequently, giving a loud, decisive-sounding “chitick, chitick!”.
Sri Lanka Swallow
Cecropis hyperythra
Swallow with deeply forked tail, and unstreaked chestnut underparts and rump. Found in a variety of open country habitats in both the lowlands and foothills, including farm fields and lightly wooded areas, where usually occurs in pairs or small groups. Combination of unmarked, deep rufous underside and rufous rump separate this species from all other swallows on the island.
Parker's Spinetail
Cranioleuca vulpecula
Rusty above with pale brown underparts, a whitish throat, and a long spiky tail. Occurs on shrubby river islands favoring early successional vegetation. Song is an accelerating and descending series of “tew” notes, ending in a trill. The rather similar Rusty-backed Spinetail has buffy underparts, a less distinct eyebrow, and a different song, and occurs in seasonally flooded forests and gallery forests.
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