Seychelles Swiftlet

A beautiful, rainbow-colored inhabitant of tropical forests; often bolder than other pittas and occasionally seen in city parks, especially while on migration. Stunning, with green back, blue wings, orange belly, and black mask. Solitary outside of the breeding season; usually seen hopping around in leaf litter and turning over debris in search of invertebrates. Listen for its bouncy song, a series of loud “weuh-wheew!” phrases.

Shy understory bird of upper humid montane forest in the east slope of the Andes from central-western Argentina to central Bolivia. Prefers thick understory, and more often heard than seen. Often curious and inquisitive, but tends to stay hidden when possible. From similar Streak-fronted Thornbird by reddish cap, spotted underparts, and habitat (Streak-fronted prefers dryer and more open woodland). Song an accelerating then decelerating series of 10-12 “queet!” notes that rise and then fall in pitch.

Dainty blue flycatcher with a habit of flicking and spreading its tail. Sky-blue male’s pale belly distinguishes him from male Nilgiri Flycatcher. Brown female has a gray head, an orange throat and chest, and a rufous tail; pale lores and dark irises give her a large-eyed appearance. Similar female Blue-throated Flycatcher lacks pale lores and instead has a paler orange chest, smaller bill, and weaker contrast between the head and back. White-bellied inhabits dense foothill forests, joining mixed-species flocks in the winter. Song is a high and quiet series of whistled and slurred notes, often given irregularly. Calls are hard rattling bursts of notes.