Black-throated Flowerpiercer

Large, stout-billed woodcreeper of tall rainforest in northeastern Amazonia. Plumage entirely rufous-brown with no barring or streaking; note thick reddish bill, white throat, and prominent white whisker mark (bill of young birds is dark brown). Found in tall rainforest as well as slightly lower-stature forests on sandy soils; generally less common than other large woodcreepers. Climbs along tree trunks and large branches at middle and upper levels, probing bark crevices for insects and small vertebrates; occasionally follows army ant swarms to capture animals fleeing up tree trunks. Heard more often than seen. Song, given mainly at dawn, is a far-carrying, hoarse whistle repeated 3–4 times, very unlike other woodcreepers. Amazonian Barred-Woodcreeper, which also has a reddish bill and suggestion of a pale whisker, may occur with Red-billed at ant swarms and be mistaken for it in dim understory light; note Red-billed’s stouter bill and plain face with obvious whisker streak.

A common bowerbird of montane forest on the Bird’s Head and Neck of New Guinea. Stocky with drab brown plumage. Unlike other related species, the male lacks a crest and resembles the female. Most easily observed at the bower; a spectacular tent-shaped construction which it adorns the front of with colorful objects. No other drab-colored bowerbirds co-occur, and the female Masked Bowerbird has a yellow rather than brown belly and is found at lower elevations. Voice, various loud buzzes, shrieks and squawks.

Elegant, robin-like bird with a long tail. Males are bluish-black and white. Females are brown and buff. Both sexes show a white slash in the wing. There is regional variation: western birds have white in the tail and more white in the wing; northeastern males have a black belly. Common Madagascar endemic that is found in the understory of all forest types, as well as in scrub, plantations, and gardens. Pretty song is a conversational phrase of whistles, whines, and rattles. Much larger than African Stonechat, and usually doesn’t sit in the open. Females separated from female rock-thrushes by their white wing patch.