Sumatran Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus castaneus
Uncommon and unobtrusive, this chunky and mostly chestnut-colored bird is unlike any other whistling-thrush. Male has a dark blue head with an iridescent forehead, while the female has a brownish head. Both sexes have an iridescent blue patch on the shoulder which is only occasionally visible. Endemic to Sumatra’s foothill forests (400-1500 meters), often found close to shaded forest streams. Shy, but sometimes perches up on rocks and branches. Gives a loud “nyaaah” and a series of low buzzy notes.
Identification
Uncommon and unobtrusive, this chunky and mostly chestnut-colored bird is unlike any other whistling-thrush. Male has a dark blue head with an iridescent forehead, while the female has a brownish head. Both sexes have an iridescent blue patch on the shoulder which is only occasionally visible. Endemic to Sumatra’s foothill forests (400-1500 meters), often found close to shaded forest streams. Shy, but sometimes perches up on rocks and branches. Gives a loud “nyaaah” and a series of low buzzy notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Myophonus castaneus
- Authority
- Wardlaw-Ramsay, RG, 1880
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Myophonus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

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Heavy-set shorebird with entirely black plumage and long, thick reddish bill. It has a distinctive fleshy red or yellow eye-ring and very thick pale-pink feet and legs. Exclusively coastal, where it can be found walking around on the edge of rocky headlands, on rock shelves, and along rocky beaches on small islands. Typically found in pairs or small groups. Its call is a loud slow whistled "chew", or when agitated a rapidly repeated "squeaky toy" call.

Common Jery
Neomixis tenella
Small, energetic, sharp-billed warbler. Always shows gray on the back of the neck and usually a lightly striped throat, though there is regional variation. Madagascar endemic that is found in all habitats with some woody vegetation, including forest, scrub, savanna, plantations, and villages. Often joins flocks with other small bird species. Song is a squeaky, bouncing series of high notes. Gray on the back of the neck separates it from all other jeries. Larger and brighter than Green Jery. Smaller than Stripe-throated Jery, with pale legs.

Samar Hornbill
Penelopides samarensis
A fairly large bird of lowland and foothill forest. Small for a hornbill. Bill fairly short with black bands, and with bare skin around the eyes and chin. Male has pale underparts and head with a black cheek, a pale buffy tail with a black tip, and pale blue facial skin. Female is entirely black with a buffy band through the center of the tail and darker blue facial skin. Rufous Hornbill occurs in some of the same areas, but has a red bill. Samar Hornbill’s voice is a short, medium-pitched honk, reminiscent of a squeaky toy, often given in rapid series.
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