Citrine Canary-Flycatcher
Culicicapa helianthea
A small flycatcher-like bird with a bold dark eye on a plain face, a pale eye-ring, olive-green upperparts, and solid yellow underparts. Singles or pairs sit upright within understory of forest, woodland, and plantations in lowlands and mountains, often attending mixed-species flocks. Separated from Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher by yellow chin and lack of gray head and breast. Told from Yellow-bellied Whistler by eye-ring, absence of white throat, and slimmer bill. Gives a simple high-pitched whistled song that rises and falls: “swit-soo-swit-soo.” Also gives a short, squelching “ti-rip” trill.
Identification
The citrine canary-flycatcher (Culicicapa helianthea) is a species of bird in the family Stenostiridae. The term citrine refers to its yellowish colouration. It is found in Sulawesi and the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It has been observed gathering in mixed-species flocks, with species including Everett's white-eyes, black-naped monarchs, orange-bellied flowerpeckers, elegant tits, crimson sunbirds, garden sunbirds, and Negros striped babblers.
Taxonomy
Genus: Culicicapa; Family: Stenostiridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Culicicapa helianthea
- Authority
- (Wallace, 1865)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Stenostiridae
- Genus
- Culicicapa
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Batrachostomus mixtus
Small stout frogmouth with a face full of wispy whiskers. Males are dark brown overall; females are bright rufous. Restricted to Borneo’s central and southern mountain ranges, where it inhabits foothill and lower montane forest. Similarly-sized Sunda Frogmouth mostly found in lowland forest. Blyth’s Frogmouth is proportionally longer-tailed, with stronger white markings on the wings and underparts. Vocalizations vary and are poorly understood; frequently gives a mournful descending whistle and a fluid, rippling, downslurred trill.
Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
Small swallow with long forked tail. Dark above, pale below, with a rusty breast and face. In Australia, much less common Barn Swallow has a dark chest band and is much paler below, including parts of the underwing. Common bird across open habitat, where it feeds on insects above parks, sporting fields, wetlands, and other open areas. Perches on fence rows and utility lines in large numbers.
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
Huge white bird with long neck and all-black bill. Immatures dusky gray-brown with pink on bill. Forages in shallow, vegetated wetlands reaching under the water for plants, and walks through corn stubble. Breeds in freshwater marshes and ponds. Winters on any open body of water where food is available. Extremely similar to Tundra Swan, but never shows yellow on bill. Also, note subtle features of face: facial skin is relatively broad where it meets eye, so the eye doesn't stand out, and border between white face and black bill is straight (curved on Tundra). From head-on, the border of the bill and forehead is usually pointed (straight or curved on Tundra). Often in pairs or family groups. Almost went extinct in early 20th century, but population has rebounded and been reintroduced to some areas.
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