Whitehead
Mohoua albicilla
A small endemic songbird found only on the North Island of New Zealand. Note distinctive whitish head and underparts. Females and juveniles have cinnamon tinge to crown and nape. Often encountered in small feeding flocks that move quickly and loudly through the canopy with harsh chattering calls, trills, and slurs. Favors tall native forest and shrubs. Although a reluctant flier, the species is agile and acrobatic as it forages for insects, often hanging upside down. Male has a clear canary-like song. Adults can be seen feeding far larger Long-tailed Koel chicks, as this species is a favored host of that nest parasite.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mohoua albicilla
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1830)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Mohouidae
- Genus
- Mohoua
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Central Melanesian Cicadabird
Edolisoma erythropygium
Small cuckooshrike with a restricted range, found only on the Solomon Islands, as well as a couple small islands off of New Ireland. Males are mainly gray with black on the face, wing, and tail. Distinctive female is mostly rufous-brown, with buffy underparts. There is geographical variation, with females unbarred in most of the range, but showing barred underparts in some places. Found singly or in pairs in forest and forest edge habitats at low and middle elevations. Vocalizations poorly known, but include a long series of “chyap” notes.
San Cristobal Mockingbird
Mimus melanotis
A fairly large gray-and-white songbird with a long tail, slightly curved bill, black mask, and blotchy gray vest. Endemic to Galápagos. Found only on San Cristóbal Island, where it is the only mockingbird. Adult may have a faint, dark mustache; juvenile has a heavily spotted breast. Uncommon and usually encountered alone or in pairs, in areas with scattered trees and cacti; tends to avoid tall, dense forest.
Mouse-colored Thistletail
Asthenes griseomurina
Little brown bird with a long, wispy tail found at high elevations near treeline in the Andes of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. White eye-ring, lack of an eyebrow, and brown (not chestnut) upperparts help separate it from White-chinned Thistletail; also note range. Mouse-colored is found alone or in pairs in dense shrubbery and stunted forest. Typical song is a rising, piping series that quickly accelerates into a trill.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.