Juniper Titmouse

Thickset, dark-gray-brown laughingthrush with a bright-candy-red bill, broad blue moustache patches, and a sickly-looking bare yellow crown. Endemic to the highlands of north-central Borneo. Found in primary submontane and montane forests. Forages in small groups or with mixed flocks, clambering and hopping about in vines and tangles of vegetation in middle levels of forest. Unlike Sunda and Chestnut-hooded laughingthrushes, Bare-headed does not readily approach people. Song is an owl-like series of hollow hoots, interspersed with upswept yelps when duetting.

Spectacular, very large ‘blackbird’ of tropical lowlands. Favors forest edge, open woodland, plantations, semi-open areas with trees; colonies of large pendulous nests adorn tall trees. Male is much larger than female, but sexes look similar: dark rusty overall with a black head, bold yellow sides to the tail, and ornate face and bill patterning. Flies rather directly, with slow, ‘rowing’ wingbeats. Memorable gurgling song sounds like water poured from a bottle.

A reddish-brown owl with a large rounded head, pale whitish eyebrows, and no ear tufts. Upperparts spotted with black-tipped white spots. Legs unfeathered and whitish. Found in a wide range of forest, mostly in lowlands, frequently near villages. No other owls occur on Palau. Voice includes a long series of deep “whok” notes rising in intensity, finishing in a sharp “quirt-quirt” whistle.