Bismarck Crow

Corvus insularis

A medium-sized entirely black crow with a large, often pale-tipped bill and a pale bluish eye. Common in most open forest and forest-edge habitats. Often seen around towns. Voice consists of short, nasal cawing notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Corvus insularis
Authority
Heinroth, 1903
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Corvidae
Genus
Corvus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Narrow-billed Tody

Narrow-billed Tody

Todus angustirostris

A small, gemlike species that prefers higher elevation moist woodlands, but also occurs in coffee plantations. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a profile shared only by the Broad-billed Tody within its range. Both species have bright green upperparts and a red throat and sides. Note especially the pale eyes of Narrow-billed Tody, as compared to the dark eyes of Broad-billed. Many Broad-billed also have a buff-yellow wash below, which the Narrow-billed lacks. On birds lacking buff below, the Broad-billed can be identified by its all red lower bill, which is black tipped in the Narrow-billed. Further clues to identification include altitude, with this species occurring above 700 meters elevation and the Broad-billed occurring mostly below 700 meters. The Broad-billed also tends to forage higher within woodlands on more open perches. Vocalizations include a buzzy “chik-zhwik” with second note slightly upslurred and a rapid buzzy chatter at about 14 notes per second; compare this with the quick “weep” or “whip” uttered by the Broad-billed.

West Indian Woodpecker

West Indian Woodpecker

Melanerpes superciliaris

A medium-sized woodpecker of drier forests including palm groves. Its strongly barred back eliminates all other species in it range except for Northern and Fernandina’s Flickers, but both flickers lack the West Indian Woodpecker’s extensively red nape and hind-crown. The barring on the back of the Northern Flicker is also far less pronounced than it is on West Indian Woodpecker. Common vocalizations include a staccato “pee-uh-uh-uh-uh…” with accent on first note, and emphatic bursts of “bluhhh, bluhhh, bluhhh,” with notes that are both harsh and slightly trilled.

Purple-gaped Honeyeater

Purple-gaped Honeyeater

Lichenostomus cratitius

Small, plain honeyeater found in mallee woodland and heathland across southern South Australia as well as in parts of southwestern Western Australia. Olive brown above, paler below, with gray crown and dark gray cheek patch edged in yellow, a thin purple line separating throat from ear coverts, and entirely black bill. Calls include loud squeaks and a rattling trill.

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