Southern Hyliota

Big-headed flycatcher of humid rainforest midstory. Rich red-brown with a slightly grayer head and pale eye. Perches with upright posture and appears rather stocky, with a short tail, large head, and heavy bill. Pale eye and fairly dark plumage help distinguish it from other attilas, as does voice. Listen for a rising series of whistles, usually finished with a lower note: “weer, weer, weer, weer, woo”; sounds melancholy, without the upbeat, double-syllable note phrasing of Bright-rumped Attila.

Distinctive but variable: all plumages are some bold combination of black, white, and gray. Shows considerable variation in plumage across the world, but never has a clear, thin and contrasting eye-brow like White-browed or Japanese Wagtail. Occurs in varied open habitats, from wild grassy areas and wetlands to paved car parks and grassy lawns. Usually seen as singles, pairs, or small groups walking and running around, pumping the long, white-sided tail up and down. Identified easily in flight by its loud, thick and distinctive “tsee-tsee’ call.

A medium-sized, rather robust and long-tailed warbler, with a noticeably stout bill. Variable plumage, from bright adult males with extensive yellow throat to extremely dull grayish-brown immature females. Always look for two white wingbars, diffuse streaking on the sides of the breast, large bill, and long narrow tail with a shallow notch. Well-named: almost always found in pine trees throughout the year. In spring and summer, listen for loud musical trill (compare with Chipping Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco). Occasionally visits feeders, especially for suet. A short-distance migrant, wintering entirely in the United States.