Babar Whistler
Pachycephala sharpei
A chunky, heavy-billed forest songbird endemic to the island of Babar, located in eastern Indonesia between Timor and the Tanimbar Islands. Male is distinctive, with a black hood, a white throat, bright yellow underside, and dull green upperparts with a golden collar. Females are duller, with a brown head, white throat, yellow underparts, and dull olive-green upperparts. Wallacean Whistler also occurs on Babar, but females of that species are even duller than female Babar Whistlers, lacking the yellow belly. Vocalizations are poorly known, but likely include a bright, whistled song. Formerly treated as a subspecies of the more widespread Yellow-throated Whistler.
Identification
The Babar whistler (Pachycephala sharpei) is a passerine bird in the family Pachycephalidae that is endemic to the island of Babar which lies at the eastern end of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the yellow-throated whistler.
Taxonomy
Genus: Pachycephala; Family: Pachycephalidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Pachycephala sharpei
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pachycephalidae
- Genus
- Pachycephala
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Nicaraguan Seed-Finch
Sporophila nuttingi
What this bird lacks in color, it makes up for with a ridiculously oversized bill. Male is all glossy black, female warm brown. Male’s bill is huge and pink, female’s is equally huge but dark gray. Larger overall size than other seed-finches and seedeaters. Could be mistaken for Thick-billed Seed-Finch but even larger bill should help with identification; also note lack of a white patch in the wing. Found in open habitats, especially fields with some scattered shrubs.
Lompobattang Flycatcher
Ficedula bonthaina
A tiny brown flycatcher with an orange throat, a conspicuous orange mark between bill and eyes, a chestnut tail, and a white belly. Inhabits dense understory of montane forest within its small range in southwest Sulawesi. Differs from female Snowy-browed Flycatcher in its chestnut tail and brighter, clean-cut throat patch. Separated from female Rufous-throated Flycatcher by brown head and nape and larger orange patch between bill and eye. Song comprises several high-pitched whistles, “too-tee-too”, sometimes interspersed with or followed by a short rattle. Also gives dry, rattling “chep” calls.
White-browed Owl
Athene superciliaris
Mid-sized owl that is endemic to Madagascar. Combination of size, white crescents on the face, and heavy barring below are distinctive. Found locally in all forest types at low elevations, though seemingly absent from much eastern rainforest. Highly vocal, and frequently gives two different calls, often together: a rising “wheooow” and a series of nasal barks.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.