Buru Cuckooshrike

Coracina fortis

A relatively large gray songbird with a notably heavy bill, a prominent black mark between the bill and the eye, and a paler belly. Singles and pairs frequent the canopy of forest within lowlands and mountains, including degraded forest. Confined to Buru. Differs from Pale Cicadabird in its larger size and extensive black area between bill and the eye. Differs from Common Cicadabird in its pale belly, larger size, and heavier bill. Call is a short, sharp, slightly burry “skeet.”

Identification

The Buru cuckooshrike (Coracina fortis) is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Taxonomy

Genus: Coracina; Family: Campephagidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Coracina fortis
Authority
(Salvadori, 1878)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Campephagidae
Genus
Coracina

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Little Spotted Kiwi

Little Spotted Kiwi

Apteryx owenii

New Zealand’s smallest kiwi species. Light grayish brown with white horizontal banding or “spotting” along the length of the body. Restricted to offshore predator-free island sanctuaries and to the mainland Zealandia sanctuary in Wellington. More often heard than seen, including loud sniffling as it forages for invertebrates. Male produces a series of burry, rising high-pitched whistles. Female has a lower ascending burry whistle. Both sexes repeat their call many times, often duetting. Could be confused with Weka by voice and shape; look for the kiwi’s much longer bill and lack of tail, and listen for its multisyllabic call.

Bat-like Spinetail

Bat-like Spinetail

Neafrapus boehmi

Extraordinary short-tailed swift with weak, fluttery, bat-like flight. Note the pale underparts and white rump patch. Seen on the wing over woodland, gallery forest, and moist savannah, especially miombo. Often in areas with baobabs, which are favored nesting sites. Usually solo or in pairs. Range does not overlap with that of the similar Sabine’s Spinetail. All other swifts have a longer tail.

Barred Parakeet

Barred Parakeet

Bolborhynchus lineola

Small, fast-flying parakeet of humid evergreen forest in foothills and highlands, especially in areas with seeding bamboo. Usually seen in pairs or small groups flying high overhead; rarely seen perched. Note pointed tail, fast and slightly bounding flight, and habitat (no other small parakeets occur in highlands of Mexico and northern Central America). Blackish barring on upperparts only apparent with a good view.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.