Papuan Scrub-Robin

Fairly common but elusive; heard far more often than seen. Favors native temperate forest and adjacent shrubbery, especially bamboo. Feeds on the ground by scratching with its big feet in leaf litter, and runs very quickly and stealthily. Agitated birds can call loudly from middle level perches, cocking their tail. Nests in burrows, but can nest high up in tree hollows. Plumage distinctive, with pale eyering, dark slaty throat and breast, and rusty belly. No range overlap with Chestnut-throated Huet-huet.

A medium-sized, bright-buff bird usually found foraging on the ground in a variety of habitats from croplands to forests. Best separated from similar Spectacled Thrush by its all black bill and lack of bold eyering. Song is a series of sweet up-slurred and down-slurred whistles. Calls are quite different than Spectacled Thrush and include a quick, slightly squeaky “ji-ji-ji-ji-ji” and a paired “chee-ip, chee-ip.”

Brownish bunting with boldly striped black-and-white head, bright chestnut wings and buffy wash on the breast that fades towards the vent. Endemic to Socotra, where it prefers rocky areas in shrubland and grassland. Typically encountered hopping on the ground searching for food. Pairs breed between 600–1200m, but move to the coastal plain after breeding, where they form small flocks. Song is typically a series of three or four short strident notes, “tseet-tee-too” or “steet-tsoo-steet-tsoo.”