Smoky Bush-Tyrant

Huge, spectacular, mostly black hornbill. Males have a large cream-and-white bill, and females a much smaller horn-colored one. In flight, shows a mostly white tail with a black center. Found in lowland rainforest, forest edge, and gallery forest. Usually in pairs or small groups of up to a dozen. The loud calls are surprisingly high-pitched yelps and honks that are often given in a quick series, higher and less rasping than similar calls of Black-casqued Hornbill. Similar to Black-casqued Hornbill in appearance, but male separated by the yellow casque, female by the paler bill and neck, and both sexes by the completely white outer tail feathers. 

A small gray honeyeater with a downcurved bill, a white belly, and a contrasting red head and rump. Males show more red on head than females; red extends to breast on male birds from Wetar, confined to throat in Alor. These forms may represent two species. On Wetar, found in lowland forest, edge, and gardens; on Alor, inhabits mountain forest. Singles, pairs, or groups usually found high in the trees. Unmistakable in its limited range in the Lesser Sundas. Song is a thin, high-pitched “titititititit.” Also gives “tew” notes and twittering sounds.

A recently described species endemic to the declining montane forests of Taliabu. Dark, sparrow-sized warbler with a scruffy-looking, graduated tail. Dark above, with a pale eyebrow and throat; very similar in appearance to Seram, Sulawesi, and Buru Bush Warblers, all formerly grouped under “Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler.” Secretive and skulky, moving about stealthily in dense vegetation on or near the ground. Darker above and dingier below than migrant grasshopper warblers such as Gray’s and Middendorff’s, and with a prominent white throat. Song is a series of extremely high, thin notes: “tzi’eeee, tzi’eeee, tzi’eeee.”