Papuan Sittella

Attractive, medium-sized tetraka. Green back, gray head, white throat, and yellowish underparts. Madagascar endemic that is found in eastern rainforest at middle and high elevations. Inhabits the mid-story, most often feeding by creeping along mossy branches like a woodpecker. Frequently joins flocks with tetrakas and other species. Call is a series of high, silvery, sputtered “sit” notes. Separated from Spectacled Tetraka by its smaller size, brighter underparts, gray head, and tree-creeping habits. 

As in other niltavas, the male is brilliantly colored while the female is drab brown overall. Male bright blue with an orange belly; female is brown with a white throat strap and a small blue crescent on the neck. Female is very similar to other niltavas, intermediate in size between Little and Large niltavas, with stronger warm tones on the wings and tail than Fujian Niltava. Active in the middle and upper layers of broadleaf and mixed hill forests, where it often associates with other species in mixed flocks. Gives a series of high, piercing metallic whistles.

Immense and imposing owl of dense wet lowland and hill forests. Silver-gray adult is majestic, with a large yellow bill, black eyes, and sweeping sidewards-facing “horns.” Juvenile is much paler, almost white, with shorter tufts. Gives deep echoing hoots. Primarily nocturnal, but will on occasion hunt by day; takes prey as large as small deer.