Brown Gerygone

Gerygone mouki

Small plain bird with thin bill. Upperparts brown, underparts whitish, with gray face, red eye, and distinctive patch of white in undertail. Juveniles lack red eye and have yellow gape (base of bill). Inhabits rainforest, wet forest, and surrounding habitats of eastern Australia. Song a rasping "which-is-it," very different from tinkling notes of Mangrove Gerygone.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Gerygone mouki
Authority
Mathews, 1912
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Acanthizidae
Genus
Gerygone

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
rising

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Black Rail

Black Rail

Laterallus jamaicensis

Tiny rail, the size of a sparrow and nearly impossible to see without tremendous effort. Slate gray overall with a piercing red eye, brown nape, and white spotting on wings. Beware confusion with downy young of other rail species, which are entirely black. Inhabits drier areas in fresh and saltwater marshes with cattail, sedge, and other tall grasses. Typically rare even in proper habitat. Incredibly difficult to locate even when vocalizing within mere feet of an observer; stealthily dashes around at the base of dense grass like a ninja. Easiest to detect by its distinctive song, most often heard at night: a churring "kick-ee-derr", two higher notes followed by a lower note.

Ferruginous Babbler

Ferruginous Babbler

Pellorneum bicolor

Reddish-brown babbler with white underparts. General appearance resembles White-chested Babbler but much more warmly-colored. Forages in small flocks in the lower and middle levels of lowland and lower foothill forests. Gives a loud, explosive “chew-WIT!” and various chattering and rasping notes.

Ruddy Shelduck

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferruginea

Striking and distinctive gooselike duck. Plumage bright ruddy overall with contrasting pale creamy head and neck; male has narrow black neck ring. Big white forewing patches striking in flight. Breeds in southeastern Europe and Central Asia, winters in South Asia. Often found around saline lakes; also reservoirs and agricultural fields. Escapees from waterfowl collections occasionally seen free-flying outside of native range.

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