White-backed Black-Tit
Melaniparus leuconotus
An unusual tit that is mostly black with a pale back. Males have a bright white back and females and immatures a buff-colored one. Found in montane forest and woodland, usually in pairs or small groups, and readily joins mixed flocks. Similar to White-shouldered Black-Tit, but easily separated by the white back and black wing. The calls are typical of tits, but softer and gentler, including high-pitched “sit” notes and scratchy notes. Song is highly variable, but often contains repeated phrases of musical whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melaniparus leuconotus
- Authority
- (Guérin-Méneville, 1843)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
- Genus
- Melaniparus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Vogelkop Bowerbird
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A common bowerbird of montane forest on the Bird’s Head and Neck of New Guinea. Stocky with drab brown plumage. Unlike other related species, the male lacks a crest and resembles the female. Most easily observed at the bower; a spectacular tent-shaped construction which it adorns the front of with colorful objects. No other drab-colored bowerbirds co-occur, and the female Masked Bowerbird has a yellow rather than brown belly and is found at lower elevations. Voice, various loud buzzes, shrieks and squawks.
Neumann's Starling
Onychognathus neumanni
A large glossy-black starling with a wedge-shaped tail and brick-red windows in the wings that are striking in flight. The male and female have black and gray heads respectively. Pairs and flocks prefer rocky outcrops, cliffs, and gorges, within the savanna zone. Similar to Chestnut-winged Starling, but found in different habitat, and separated by being chunkier, with a much heavier bill and broader tail. The vocalizations are characteristic loud liquid oriole-like contact calls and other musical whistles and warbles.
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