Tenggara Hill Myna
Gracula venerata
A rare, large myna endemic to the Lesser Sunda islands. Black with a green gloss and bright yellow head wattles extending up the back of the head. Also note bright candlewax-orange bill and white wing patches that are most apparent in flight. Found in mature humid forest and edge from lowlands to the hills. Often seen in pairs or small flocks flying between or perched up in tall trees. Gives a myriad of screams, squeaks, chirps, and whistles. Threatened by capture for the cagebird trade.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gracula venerata
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Gracula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Eungella Honeyeater
Bolemoreus hindwoodi
Medium-sized honeyeater recorded at higher elevations in the ranges behind Mackay in central Queensland. Gray overall; underparts slightly paler, with fine streaks on chest difficult to see. Dark cheeks split by a thin white gape mark that wraps back under and behind the bluish eye; also has a faint, narrow neck plume. Call is a series of sharp, frantic-sounding whistles.
Palila
Loxioides bailleui
A rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of high elevation dry forests on the western slope of Mauna Kea volcano on Hawaii Island. Occurs only above 6,500 feet. Males and females are similarly patterned but males are more brightly colored. Quiet and generally shy, but males may sing from an exposed perch. Sometimes found in pairs or small groups. Feeds primarily on green seed pods of the mamane tree. Call is a soft “pah-lee-lah.”
White-winged Swamp Warbler
Bradypterus carpalis
Dark, long-tailed, long-billed wetland warbler. There is a small white shoulder mark and heavy streaking and spotting on the underparts. Found in papyrus swamp. Shy and difficult to see; most often detected by voice. Song starts with slow and hesitant notes, speeds up, then ends with a trill made by beating the wings together at incredible speed. The white shoulder and heavily streaked breast separate it from reed warblers and other swamp warblers.
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