Javan Flowerpecker

Dicaeum sanguinolentum

Small and stout forest-dweller that hops and buzzes about in the canopy like a large, active insect. Note male’s iridescent dark blue back, bright red chest, and black line extending down the white belly. As with many other flowerpeckers, the female is considerably duller, with a red rump patch being the only patch of bright color on her otherwise gray-brown plumage. Endemic to Java, where it inhabits montane and foothill forests. Calls include a short buzzy katydid-like series, high-pitched whistles, and dry clicks.

Identification

The Javan flowerpecker (Dicaeum sanguinolentum), formerly named the blood-breasted flowerpecker, is a species of passerine bird in the flowerpecker family Dicaeidae. It is found on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Flores, Sumba, and Timor flowerpeckers.

Taxonomy

Genus: Dicaeum; Family: Dicaeidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Dicaeum sanguinolentum
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Dicaeidae
Genus
Dicaeum

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Piping Long-tailed Woodcreeper

Piping Long-tailed Woodcreeper

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Fairly small, warm brown woodcreeper with buffy spots on breast and vague buffy eyebrow. Note relatively short, straight bill. Very similar to many other species of woodcreepers but smaller than most others in range; tail relatively longer than most other woodcreepers but this is of limited use in field identification. Focus on overall shape, especially the vaguely “pin-headed” look and scruffy feathers on the nape. Generally found in primary forest, usually following a mixed-species flock. Best identified by voice, though not a particularly vocal species. Song is a long, fast series of medium-pitched piping notes that at first speed up and then slow down at the end of the phrase.

Blue Cuckooshrike

Blue Cuckooshrike

Cyanograucalus azureus

A beautiful, entirely blue thrush-like bird that can be surprisingly hard to make out in the dark subcanopy of tropical forests as it forages high above the ground. When seen well, it is unmistakable, with its entirely blue body, red eyes, dark face, and black bill. When it is backlit in the trees, look for its distinctive profile perched close to branches with relatively short legs and tail, and its generally unicolored appearance. Occurs in small flocks whose calls consist of hoarse, whiny “tchuwee” and terse “tchup” notes. Song is a piercing “puuuEEEEoooo” or “wheeEEEr” that can be fairly variable in pitch and length.

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