Buru Thrush
Geokichla dumasi
A distinctive thrush with chocolate-brown upperparts, a dark head with a conspicuous pale eye-ring, a black throat, and a white belly. Also shows rows of clean white spots on wings. Juveniles show pale streaking above, a buffy underside, and irregular black, buff, and rufous mottling below. Inhabits deep undergrowth, typically foraging on the ground singly or in pairs, within forests of foothills and lower mountains. Perches low in the understory also. Restricted to Buru, where it is the only thrush. Melodious song, characteristic of thrushes, comprises short whistles and scratchy notes. Also gives a shrill, drawn-out “seeeeeeeet” call note.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Geokichla dumasi
- Authority
- Rothschild, 1899
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Geokichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

White-browed Tailorbird
Orthotomus nigriceps
A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense undergrowth in lowland and foothill forest in eastern Mindanao. Has an olive-green back and wings, an olive-green tail often held cocked, a pale gray belly, a black crown, and a white brow. Throat and chest are black in the male and white in the female with streaking around the edge. Similar to Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, especially from behind, but White-browed has black on the head with a white brow. Voice includes monotonous piping notes given in series, or a rapid whistled trill which can be rising or falling.

Isabelline Bush-hen
Amaurornis isabellina
A large, long-legged rail with rich chestnut underparts, duller brown upperparts, a greenish bill, and greenish-yellow legs. Typically encountered in pairs or small groups within dense, rank grassland or thick scrub, in the lowlands and lower hills on Sulawesi. In its limited range, most likely to be confused with female Watercock, but the bush-hen lacks any markings on the upperside and has brighter, chestnut-colored underparts. Noisy, giving harsh “tak-tak-tak-tak” calls in addition to rasping “groOw-groOw-groOw…”.

Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
Small, orange-legged plover with solid dark breast band. Medium-brown upperparts are the color of wet sand, noticeably darker than Piping or Snowy Plovers. Look for short, blunt bill with orange base (often indistinct on juveniles). Feeds on mudflats and beaches, often mixed with other shorebirds. Even when in a flock, individuals are typically spread out rather than remaining a tight unit. Breeds on the tundra or rocky beaches at northern latitudes; winters to southern South America. Migrants are common and widespread, inland and coastal. Listen for distinctive two parted “chu-weep!” calls, and assorted chortles and chuckles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.