Gambaga Flycatcher
Muscicapa gambagae
A drab flycatcher that is uncommon and localized across its range. Some of the key features include vague and blurry streaking on the breast and crown, short wings, and a bill that is dark above and pale below. Found in dry woodland and locally in dry montane forest. Very similar to Spotted Flycatcher, but smaller and shorter-winged, with less distinct streaking on the underparts and crown. Also similar to African Dusky Flycatcher, but slightly larger, paler, and longer-tailed, and found in a different habitat. The call is a short “tik” and the song is a quiet series of short, halting phrases of high-pitched wheezing notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Muscicapa gambagae
- Authority
- (Alexander, 1901)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Muscicapa
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
West Solomons Owl
Athene jacquinoti
A rather small orange-eyed owl with lightly spotted brown upperparts and paler underparts. Prefers well-developed forest, mainly in lowlands, but up to 1500 meters of elevation. Unlikely to overlap in range with any similar species. Vocal range poorly known, but a series of monotone “poop” or “chong” notes is regularly reported. Found from Bougainville, Buka, and Choiseul in the north to Florida Island in the south. Formerly lumped with Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira Owls under the name “Solomons Boobook.”
Yellow-rumped Honeyguide
Indicator xanthonotus
A short-billed bird that looks rather like a large, stretched-out finch. Dark brown overall with pale streaking on the back and flashes of bright yellow on the head and rump. Almost always seen in close proximity to the nests of Giant Asian Honeybees, from which it takes beeswax, and which often hang from ledges, trees, and cave openings. Dull color and bright head may recall some female rosefinches, but note the honeyguide’s comparatively small-headed appearance and unique behavior.
Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
Large, bulky shorebird. Dark overall with thick red bill, staring yellow eye, and thick, light pink legs. Exclusively coastal, favors rocky shorelines where it feeds on shellfish and other invertebrates. Usually in pairs or small flocks. Occurs from Alaska to northern Baja. Listen for loud yelps and whistles, often in a rapid series when excited. Hybrids with American Oystercatcher occur locally in southern California and Baja; look for messy spotting on the belly.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.