Utupua Whistler

A small finchlike bird with a short and stubby bill. Males are a striking combination of gray, black and a rich cinnamon color. Males have a black breast and cheeks, a cinnamon belly, and a gray helmet that becomes brownish towards the back. Male “melanops” morphs have a black hood and are olive-brown above and pale below. Females are olive-brown above and buff below. Both sexes have a white wing spot that is not found in the “melanops” morph. Inhabits mature grasslands, usually near water, where it is often seen in flocks with others seedeaters during migration.

Ornately patterned fulvetta with a rich coffee-brown crown, an orange wing panel, and a decurved black brow and thin mustache on a white face. Moves quickly through the lower and middle levels of the forest in large flocks, often mixed in with other species, including babblers, leaf warblers, and other fulvettas. Clambers around on trunks and branches like a nuthatch or a treecreeper. Inhabits mid- to high-altitude broadleaf forests. Calls include trills, rattles, and chips. Song is a high-pitched “wee-chee-chee-wee-chee.”

Small, pretty waxbill of lush habitats. Note the red bill, black tail, olive-brown back, and red rump, which is conspicuous in flight. The face and crown show considerable geographical variation, varying from all-gray to all-olive to gray with an olive crown. The underparts can be dull white or yellow. Found primarily at middle elevations in a variety of lush habitats, including grassland, moist scrub, cultivation, woodland, and forest clearings. The call is short, high-pitched, and nasal, often given in flight. Distinguished from Common and Black-rumped Waxbills by the red rump.