Mussau Triller

Tiny, drab bird with a sharp bill, a dull olive-green back, and buffy yellow underparts and forehead. Found in lowland rainforest, secondary forest, and sometimes plantations, usually in the canopy. Uncommon and inconspicuous, in pairs or small flocks. Similar to Yellow Penduline-Tit, but much duller and found in different habitat. Could be confused with Tit-Hylia, but duller overall, without streaking on the head and breast. Could also be confused with some dull sunbirds, but has a shorter, deeper-based, and sharper bill. The vocalizations are very high-pitched “sit” notes that are easily missed.

Shy and surprisingly difficult to find in mixed and conifer woodland, where it runs quickly from detected disturbance. Red-and-gold male stunning and unmistakable. Female differs from Common Pheasant in strongly barred plumage, dull pinkish (not gray) legs and feet and from Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in lighter barring, more orangeish coloration, and the lack of a bare patch of gray skin behind the eye. Native to China but introduced very locally in Britain and Hawaii; however, captive birds might escape anywhere.

Large mostly brown terrestrial bird with long gray neck and black crown, heavy pale legs. About half the size of an Emu. Occurs in open grasslands across most of Australia (except the southeast). Often seen on roadsides.