White-eared Catbird

Ailuroedus buccoides

A large, shy, stocky bird of lowland and foothill forest interior of western New Guinea. A dark brown crown edged with black, contrasting with white cheek and throat, containing small black dots forming an uneven moustache. A messy, black collar joins the crown on the back of the neck and gets narrower to the throat. Chest and belly are buffy with large black spots. May overlap with Arfak Catbird, but White-eared is usually found at lower elevation, is smaller and has a white cheek. Call, a harsh rasping note.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ailuroedus buccoides
Authority
(Temminck, 1836)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Ptilonorhynchidae
Genus
Ailuroedus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Other Birds

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Small forest hawk, usually seen perched inconspicuously in the canopy or at the forest edge. White below and gray above with distinctive orange-red legs and bill. Sexes alike. Juvenile similar to adult, but with whitish streaks on the head and very fine gray streaks on the breast.

Vinaceous Dove

Vinaceous Dove

Streptopelia vinacea

A fairly plain, typical-looking dove that is the default dove in much of the Sahel of northern Africa. The head and breast are pinkish-gray, and the neck has a black mark. The gray bars across the wings and white corners to the tail are conspicuous in flight. Found in a wide variety of savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, often in small flocks. Very similar to Ring-necked Dove and best distinguished by call, but also has a pinkish rather than pure gray forehead. African Collared-Dove is also similar, but Vinaceous Dove is darker overall, especially on the underwings. The typical call is a fast series of two higher coo notes followed by one lower coo, often given for long periods.

Lesson's Motmot

Lesson's Motmot

Momotus lessonii

Large motmot of tropical lowland forest and edge, mainly in humid areas. Perches low to high, usually in shady areas. Blue crown with a big black central patch, unlike solid blue of Blue-capped Motmot, which occurs to the north. Plumage overall less contrasting in pattern than Turquoise-browed Motmot, with much smaller tail rackets. The name ‘motmot’ comes from double-hooting call of this species, which can sound like an owl, and is mainly uttered around dawn.

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