White-eared Brown-Dove

Phapitreron leucotis

A fairly small dove of forest and edge from the lowlands to the lower mountains. Brown above, with a gray or pinkish head, neck, and chest, bluish iridescence on the back of the neck, a pale pinkish belly, and white corners to the tail. Note the black and pale streaks under the eye and the small triangle of bare skin behind it. Similar to Amethyst Brown-Dove, but White-eared has blue on the back of the neck and white under the base of the tail. Song is an accelerating series of rising “wup” notes.

Identification

Adult individuals have a black sub-ocular line starting from the gape to the nape (McGregor, 1909) followed by a white line from the posterior border of the eye to the nape (Carino, 2009; McGregor, 1909). In general, these birds have brown feathers but the crown is pale gray and the chin and upper throat is tawny (Baptista et al., 2017). In addition, lower breast and abdomen are slightly pale yellow which is much paler than the posterior part, the under tail-coverts are dark pearl-gray and the wings are brown with the primaries having pale edges, and the rectrices each having a wide gray band on the terminal end (McGregor, 1909). These birds are also characterized by short bills (Carino, 2009; Hachisuka, 1941), and greenish bronze collar (Carino, 2009; McGregor, 1909) or green or blue iridescence on the nape (P. Simpson, pers. Commun., September 11, 2017).

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Phapitreron leucotis
Authority
(Temminck, 1823)
Order
Columbiformes
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Phapitreron

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Other Birds

Alor Myzomela

Alor Myzomela

Myzomela prawiradilagae

A striking and little-known small honeyeater found only in the eucalyptus-dominated highlands of Alor, in the eastern Lesser Sundas. Unmistakable in its limited range; note bright red face and crown (brighter and more extensive in the male), pale belly, gray back, red rump, and slightly curved dark bill. Song is a high-pitched series of sharp, fast trilled notes. Call is a high buzzy “tseeep” that rises, then falls. Like many other myzomelas, readily encountered at flowering trees.

Black-faced Solitaire

Black-faced Solitaire

Myadestes melanops

Sleek medium-sized thrush with a beautiful voice. Listen for its fluty, ethereal phrases drifting over montane forests. Sexes alike: entirely gray with black face, black wings, and orangey bill and legs. Juveniles confusingly browner and spotted, but note similar shape, small bill, and dark face. Unobtrusive and not very active; most often seen while feeding at a fruiting tree.

Iris Lorikeet

Iris Lorikeet

Trichoglossus iris

A small green parrot with a red forehead, an orange bill, a dark purple eye patch and crown, and a yellow collar. Juveniles show a brown bill. Found in small groups, mainly in the foothills, in forest and a variety of wooded areas. Confined to Wetar and Timor, where it overlaps with the larger and longer-tailed Marigold and Olive-headed Lorikeets. Iris Lorikeet shows a red forehead and pale throat, lacking the dark-hooded appearance of those lorikeets. Gives high-pitched screeches, “eeek,” similar to other lorikeets, but less harsh.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

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