White-flanked Sunbird
Aethopyga eximia
A Javanese highland endemic, found from foothill forest and forest edge up into the low, scrubby growth above the treeline. Long-tailed male is stunning and utterly unmistakable, with a rose-red throat and chest, iridescent blue-green “shield” on the forehead, a smoky dark gray belly, and an iridescent blue tail. Female is much less eye-catching, with a gray head, buffish belly, and brown tail. Both sexes have an olive-brown back and a white streak on the side. Forages actively, sometimes in the lower storeys of forest. Gives bland series of chips, as well as a ringing “dink dink dink!” and a quick, descending “sweep”.
Taxonomy
The white-flanked sunbird was formally described by Thomas Horsfield in 1821.
- Scientific name
- Aethopyga eximia
- Authority
- (Horsfield, 1821)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Aethopyga
Range and habitat
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Grallaria cajamarcae
Small antpitta with a restricted range in the western Andes of northwestern Peru. Note the chestnut brown plumage and pale belly; like other antpittas, it has long legs and a short tail. Inhabits the understory of high elevation forest, and can persist even in small patches as long as native vegetation remains. Mostly terrestrial, but sometimes comes up a bit higher, especially when singing. Gives a series of five to eight clear whistles and a long trill that rises abruptly near the end. Formerly considered to be a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.
Masatierra Petrel
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Small but rather stocky and stout-billed petrel of subtropical eastern Pacific and Humboldt Current; not seen from mainland. One of several similar species, Masatierra is best identified by gray head and collar at sides of neck, rather stout bill, and plain grayish tail without a black tip. Much smaller than Juan Fernandez Petrel with quick wheeling flight unlike more easy and less hurried-looking flight of Juan. Also compare with Stejneger’s and Cook’s Petrels.
Andaman Woodpecker
Dryocopus hodgei
A large, unmistakable black woodpecker with a red crest. Note the long, dark bill and strikingly pale eyes. Found in mangroves and evergreen forests, where it occurs in pairs or small parties. Prefers feeding higher up, but is known to come down to look for invertebrates. The call is loud, sharp, and shrill, and usually consists of one or two notes.
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