Seram Thrush
Geokichla joiceyi
A distinctive, little-known thrush from the island of Seram. A dark bird with a dull rufous crown, dark brown upperparts with clean white dots on the wings, blackish underparts with a white belly, and white scaling on the flanks. Rarely seen. Terrestrial, observed singly or in pairs in flat areas inside foothill and mountain forests. No other similar thrushes occur on Seram. Calls include a two-note high-pitched whistle, the first note short, the second rapidly rising: “tew-teweeeeeee.” Also gives short, sharp descending “tsew” notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Geokichla joiceyi
- Authority
- (Rothschild & Hartert, EJO, 1921)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Geokichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Temminck's Sunbird
Aethopyga temminckii
Medium-sized sunbird of foothill and montane forests; most often seen hanging around flowering trees and bushes, especially mistletoe. Male is blinding crimson with a white belly, a long crimson tail, and a dark moustache stripe. Male Crimson Sunbird is similar but lacks the red tail and white belly of the male Temminck’s. Female Temminck’s is very plain and difficult to distinguish from other sunbirds; watch for a distinct gray wash on the head, a white belly, and a faint russet tinge to the wings and tail. Sings a thin, soft “tsi-tsi-tsi’.
Black Curassow
Crax alector
Large, terrestrial rainforest bird; common and tame where not hunted. Note mostly black plumage, white belly, and yellow base of bill. Walks through forest feeding on arthropods and fallen fruit. When flushed, flies laboriously to low perch and looks back at observer. Frequently seen along roadsides and rivers. Roosts in forest canopy. Males often give low, booming song on moonlit nights.
Crinkle-collared Manucode
Manucodia chalybatus
A large bird of foothill and lower montane forest and scrub. All black with red eye, fairly long bill and tail. Purplish-blue iridescence on wings and tail and iridescent scaling on the chest and back. Shy, but sometimes seen at fruiting trees. Very similar to Jobi Manucode, but Crinkle-collared is usually found at higher elevations and has a characteristic bump on its head. Trumpet Manucode co-occurs but is smaller and has a loose mane of feathers around its neck. Voice, a low raspy “raag!” or low “oowak-oo!”. Call note is a low “wak!”.
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