Sahul Cicadabird

Very striking cormorant readily identified by white neck. Locally common black-and-white cormorant of colder coastal waters. Often seen perched on inshore rocks and jetties, sometimes with Magellanic Cormorant. Nests colonially on low islands (rarely in lakes inland from coast) and jetties. Plumage varies regionally, with some birds black-faced and others white-faced; the two types breed together locally in the Strait of Magellan. Immature resembles adult but plumage duller overall, brownish above.

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Green-winged Pytilias. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular and bizarre, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are mostly black, with a rufous-and-buff collar and a long tail with an odd widened area at its base. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, pale underparts, and a dark bill. Generally scarce and local in dry thorn savanna. Breeding male similar to other paradise-whydahs, but has a shorter tail. Non-breeding male and female can be cautiously identified by their combination of a dark bill, dull (not whitish or red) legs, and simple facial pattern. Not very vocal, but does imitate Green-winged Pytilia vocalizations. 

An entirely black forest weaver with piercing white eyes found in low-elevation and foothill forests, in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of weaver. Occasionally forms much larger groups, and will sometimes nest in large single-species or mixed-species colonies. Birds in the western part of the range have a silver nape, but birds in the east are wholly black. Western populations are nearly identical to co-occurring populations of Vieillot’s Weaver, but have a thinner, pointier bill and prefer more forested habitats. Vocalizations include dry chatters and soft mechanical rasps, sometimes given in complex combinations.