Large Lifou White-eye
Zosterops inornatus
A bizarre, large and heavy-billed white-eye that is notably distinctive among a group of birds famed for being homogeneous. Note gray plumage overall contrasting with olive head and wings. Unusually shy for a white-eye, typically found skulking low in dense growth. Only potential confusion species on Lifou is the resident subspecies of Silverye, which is smaller with a smaller bill, brighter plumage, and contrasting black in the face. Best found via its relatively low-pitched, pleasant song made up of mellow whistled notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zosterops inornatus
- Authority
- Layard, EL, 1878
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Zosterops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner
Automolus exsertus
Skulking and generally inconspicuous brown bird of humid tropical forest. Found as singles or pairs, clambering in vine tangles or other dense understory, at times in leaf litter on the forest floor; usually difficult to see clearly. Note the rich buffy throat, broad eyebrow, and the dark rusty tail on an otherwise dark brownish bird. Loud song is a repeated, churring rattle, given from middle level perches inside the forest.

Blue-breasted Quail
Synoicus chinensis
Tiny, round quail of lowland plains, grassy hillsides, and farmland. Generally uncommon and often glimpsed only briefly as it flushes from almost underfoot. Male gorgeously attired, with a blue head and breast, deep cinnamon belly, and neat black-and-white throat markings. Female brown with a paler belly and a plain face; compare to the strong white brow of the larger Japanese Quail. Males give a descending, plaintive whistle, “tew-tew”, and a raspy, snoring call.

Annam Limestone Babbler
Gypsophila annamensis
A large, chunky, scraggly-looking babbler found in limestone hills covered with forest. Gray and brown overall with heavy streaking on the head, back, and throat. Forages close to the ground, often in and around rocky cracks and crevices. Song is a loud, ringing, rather hoarse-sounding sequence of whistled notes including some repeated phrases, sometimes given as a duet by a pair. Also gives harsh “grrr” calls. Similar to Streaked Wren-Babbler, but larger and longer-tailed, with bolder striping on the throat and no white spots on the shoulder.
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