Oriental Cuckooshrike
Coracina javensis
A large gray cuckooshrike with a strong, hooked bill. Upperparts are mostly gray with black primaries; male darker than female. Rump and upper tail are paler than back, which is apparent in flight. Male has gray throat and upper breast becoming paler on the belly. Female generally has paler underparts with faint gray bars except from the lower belly to the tail. Both sexes have a dark patch from the bill to slightly behind the eye, giving a masked impression. Juvenile is brownish, heavily scaled with whitish-buff, and mottled on the underparts. Immature has broader white edges to wing feathers. Vocal. Call is a two-noted, rather nasal “gii-yaak,” uttered in flight as well as from a perch. Inhabits lightly wooded country, avoiding wet forests.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Coracina javensis
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Coracina
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-rumped Shrike
Eurocephalus ruppelli
A big fluffy shrike with unusual white and dark brown coloration. Note the white crown and the white rump patch that is conspicuous in floppy flight. Immatures look very different, with a dark crown and white cheek, but usually associate with adults. Found in dry savanna and woodland, usually in small flocks. Perches up conspicuously and swoops to the ground to catch prey. Similar to White-crowned Shrike, but ranges don’t overlap. Loud and unmelodious vocalizations include cawing and scolding notes.
Black-and-white Bulbul
Microtarsus melanoleucos
While highly distinctive, this bulbul can be irruptive and moves in flocks over a wide range; it is thus infrequently encountered. Both sexes are dark with white shoulder patches; female is slightly browner. Moves through lowland and foothill evergreen forest and forest edge. Forages throughout all forest levels, but most common in upper levels, where it often gathers in the crowns of fruiting trees. Occasionally gives abrupt metallic ‘ching!’
Chestnut-crowned Gnateater
Conopophaga castaneiceps
Plump, short-tailed bird of Andean cloud forest understory. Male is gray with a chestnut crown and brownish-tinged back. Female is browner with chestnut extending to neck and breast. Both sexes have a partially concealed white plume behind eye that can be lifted when the bird is excited. Usually encountered alone and perched near the ground. Song is a harsh, staccato rattle that rises in pitch.
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