Montane Blue Swallow

A poorly known, mid-sized coucal endemic to Biak island. All black plumage, distinctive yellow iris, straightish bill and a fierce-looking face. Found in dense forest and secondary habitat at all levels and devilishly difficult to see. The only coucal species found on Biak. Vaguely similar to Torresian Crown, but Biak Coucal is more skulking with longer tail. Quite vocal and heard far more often than seen. Call, a series of deep, upDslurred “wup!” notes given at varying speeds.

A small bicolored flycatcher, uniform blackish above with an apricot throat and breast. On Buru, orange restricted to throat and breast, and belly is white. Elsewhere, underparts are entirely orange. Found in understory, perching low, within forests of lowlands and foothills, singly or in pairs that join mixed-species flocks. Confined to the South Moluccas. Distinguished from Snowy-browed Flycatcher by absense of facial markings. Gives a high-pitched song, “tsi-tsi-tsew-tsew-twew,” that rises at start and descends at end. Also gives harsh, metallic “tchik” notes and mournful whistles, “tsew-tsew-tsew.”

Hardy northern sparrow with plump body, small bill and long, thin tail. Note rusty cap and rusty (not black) eyeline, gray head and unstreaked grayish breast with dark smudge in center. Small flocks hop on ground, foraging for seeds, giving a soft, musical twitter. In winter, look for them in weedy fields with shrubs, forest edges, and marshes. Readily visit backyards. Rarely seen south of northern Canada in summer.