Kolombangara Monarch
Symposiachrus browni
A small black-and-white monarch. Mostly black above with a black head, back, and chest. Note the distinctive white cheek spot and large white wing patch. Note the significant amount of white on undertail. Endemic to Kolombangara, New Georgia, Vangunu, Rendova, and Tetepare, in the southwestern Solomon Islands. Prefers primary forest, but tolerates secondary growth. Occurs up to about 600 meters of elevation. Voice commonly consists of long pulsing whistles or harsh chattering.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Symposiachrus browni
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Symposiachrus
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

White-vented Whistler
Pachycephala homeyeri
Warm brown above and white below with a faint cinnamon wash near the “shoulders” that give it a “vested” appearance. Can be similar to Negros Jungle-Flycatcher, which is generally found at higher altitudes. Look for a combination of longer, smaller-headed profile, and incomplete, diffuse breast band in present species. Found from the central Philippines south to islands off Borneo’s northeastern coast, where it inhabits lowland to submontane forests. Frequently moves with mixed flocks, often in lower levels of forest, but can be found up into the canopy. Gives high, thin, clean-sounding whistles as well as various warbled and whistled notes.

Mauritius Gray White-eye
Zosterops mauritianus
An unusual white-eye that lacks white around the eye, but has a puffy white rump patch. Mostly pale gray with a white throat and buff flanks. Found in virtually all habitats with woody vegetation on the island of Mauritius. A conspicuous, sociable bird that is usually found in flocks. Vaguely similar to the rare Mauritius White-eye, but easily separated by the lack of a white eye-ring and the lack of olive-green in the plumage. The song is a repetitive series of warbling notes, typical of a white-eye. The calls are “tew” notes and squeals.

Rufous-backed Fantail
Rhipidura rufidorsa
A fairly small, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest interior. Plain brown underparts and head with rufous wings and rump. Black tail with obvious white tips which it often keeps fanned and cocked. Does not normally co-occur with other brown fantails. Possible overlap with Arafura Fantail although that species has black face and chest markings. Similar to female Rufous Fantail but Rufous-backed is found at lower elevations and lacks the rufous underparts and head. Voice, a lazy, downward series of slurred whistles, sounding like ‘Three Blind Mice’.
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