Mindanao Blue-Fantail
Rhipidura superciliaris
A fairly small, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest on Mindanao and Basilan. Overall dull blue in color with a paler belly. Often pumps tail up and down. Forages in the understory for insects and often joins mixed-species flocks. Similar in size and shape to Celestial, Short-crested, and Black-naped Monarchs, but Mindanao Blue-Fantail is darker blue with a contrasting pale blue brow, tail, and wing patch. Song consists of a slightly ascending series of medium-pitched, upslurred whistled notes, increasing in volume. Also gives a sharp “wik!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura superciliaris
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1877)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Genus
- Rhipidura
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Slaty-backed Flycatcher
Ficedula erithacus
Slender flycatcher of hilly and montane forests. Male is slate blue-gray above and orange below; it is duller and darker than male blue flycatchers and lacks the wingbars of the stockier male Mugimaki Flycatcher. Female is dull brown with a faint tan wash to the upper breast and rufous tones on the tail; like the male, lacks wingbars. As with many other forest flycatchers, Slaty-backed usually sallies out to forage in clearings, edges, and near trails, typically at middle levels of the forest. Listen for its beautiful song, an undulating series of short high-pitched whistles. Calls include a high thin “tsii” and a rattling “drrrrt” reminiscent of a frog.
White-collared Blackbird
Turdus albocinctus
This aptly-named species has a bright white collar, which is its most notable field mark. Like most other blackbirds, males are predominantly black while females are dark brown. Breeds in alpine and upper subalpine meadows, open forests, and gardens where it forages on the ground, often singly or in pairs. Sometimes descends to upper foothills in the winter.
Palau Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus pelewensis
Brightly-colored Palau endemic with a pale gray (almost white) head, neon orange belly, pink forehead, and leaf-green back and wings. Yellow tail tip is especially prominent in flight. Inhabits forested areas throughout Palau, where it can be more easily heard than seen despite its bright colors; listen for its distinctive series of accelerating coos.
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