White-faced Robin
Eopsaltria leucops
Tiny songbird found in dense rainforest of northern Cape York Peninsula (not expected in the Cairns area). Round olive bird with black head, white face, and bright yellow underparts. Typically seen singly or in pairs; perches on low branches and on the side of tree trunks before flying down to the ground to capture prey. Compare Yellow-breasted Boatbill, which has longer tail, white wingbars, and yellow eyebrow. Call is a repeated series of short, sharp whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Eopsaltria leucops
- Authority
- (Salvadori, 1876)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Petroicidae
- Genus
- Eopsaltria
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Galapagos Dove
Zenaida galapagoensis
Attractive dove endemic to Galápagos. Quite distinctive, with reddish-brown head and breast, blue circle around eye, red legs, and bold black-and-white markings on wings and head. Favors arid areas with abundant cacti; usually not found in towns. Largely terrestrial, but sometimes perches up on a bush or cactus. Usually shows little or no fear of people.
Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler
Macronus ptilosus
Unfortunately, like many other birds named for back characteristics, the fluffiness of this babbler’s upperparts are not typically visible. It is nonetheless a handsome and attractive bird, with a chestnut crown, a jet-black throat, and electric blue skin patches on the face and neck. Forages in dense lower levels of vegetation in lowland and hill forests. Vocalizations are variable; most commonly heard is a quiet hooting series of around 4–5 notes. Calls include harsh churrs, rattles, and croaks.
White-throated Fantail
Rhipidura albicollis
A distinctive fantail, all dark except for a white throat and a short white eyebrow. The tail, often fanned, is a shade darker with white tips to all tail feathers except the central pair. Juvenile is like adult, but with reduced white on face and brownish edges to the dark body feathers. Gives very harsh contact calls. Song is a musical phrase of 6-7 notes that ascends first and then descends. Found in a wide range of wooded habitats, from dense forest to forest edge and gardens, from lowlands up into the mountains.
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