Malaysian Honeyguide
Indicator archipelagicus
Uncommon and unobtrusive in lowland and foothill forests. Unremarkable yet distinctive in its appearance: olive brown above and pale below with a bicolored bill, somewhat resembling a large-bodied, small-headed sparrow in structure if not in size. Male has yellow edges on the wings and a blood-red eye; female lacks these yellow areas and has a duller brownish eye. Gives a nasal “nyeh!” as well as an odd, low grating trill. Forages at beehives, consuming beeswax like its more well-known relatives.
Identification
It is a medium-sized, up to 18 cm long, olive-brown honeyguide with greenish streaks, reddish iris, thick grey bill and greyish white below. The male has a yellow patch on the shoulder, while the female has none. The young resembles the female with streaked underparts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Indicator archipelagicus
- Authority
- Temminck, 1832
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Indicatoridae
- Genus
- Indicator
Range and habitat
The Malaysian honeyguide occurs throughout lowland broadleaved forests of western Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and the island of Sumatra.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pale-vented Pigeon
Patagioenas cayennensis
Large pigeon of marshy savannas, riversides, open areas with scattered trees, locally even in towns, such as Villahermosa, Mexico. Gray head contrasts with pinkish body, and whitish belly does not contrast strongly with plain grayish tail; compare darker Red-billed Pigeon, which often occurs in same areas but prefers drier and more forested habitats. Also note black bill of Pale-vented, and subtly distinctive song: after long introductory coo, repeated phrase is typically a 3-syllable "who’koo-koo", unlike 4-syllable "oo’koo-koo-koo" of Red-billed.
Grayish Baywing
Agelaioides badius
A medium-sized blackbird with a short bill. Both sexes are similar; mostly olive-brown with rusty wings. Inhabits open woodlands, savanna, and scrubby areas, but also found in farmlands, plantations, and urban parks where is often seen in small groups. Uncommon in the Atlantic Forest region. The song includes melodical whistles with short buzzy notes; song varies among individuals.
Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
Zanda latirostris
Black cockatoo with white ear patch and white tail panel, found in the southwestern corner of Western Australia, where it inhabits a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, pine plantations, farmland, and urban parks. The very similar Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo has much longer upper mandible. Calls include mournful, wailing cries, as well as loud, rough screeches.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.