Black-billed Flycatcher

Uncommon, rather large but drab, fairly short-billed hummingbird of tropical and subtropical forest and edge. Can be aggressive when defending flower patches from most other hummingbirds. Occurs mainly in foothills, ranging seasonally down to lowlands. Sexes similar: overall grayish brown with a broad pale mustache, dark throat patch, and dark violet ear patches that can be raised. Tail has a broad blackish subterminal band and rump feathers have bright rusty edgings.

Little bright yellow bird found in southern Borneo and northern Java. Entirely yellow coloration (no dark lores or gray belly) distinguishes this species from other white-eyes within its range. A coastal forest specialist, found in coastal scrub forest, mangroves, and forest edge, as well as adjacent gardens and plantations, where it often visits planted langsat (or duku) trees. Often found on small offshore islands. Forages actively in the canopy, giving quiet tweeting and cheeping calls; unlike other white-eyes, not a strong songster. Declining across much of range due to habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Jameson’s Firefinch. Breeding males are glossy purplish-black, with a pale brownish panel in the wings, while females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is whitish and the legs very pale pink. Found in forest edge, cultivation, thick woodland, and scrub. Mimics the vocalizations of its host firefinches: a fast trill. Extremely similar to Variable Indigobird. In South Africa, separated by its pale pinkish legs. Elsewhere, breeding males probably slightly more glossy but only separated with certainty by hearing mimicked vocalizations of host species.