Short-tailed Starling

Handsome large bunting with a distinctive face pattern consisting of a dark brown ear patch (black in Japan) and mustache combined with a light eyebrow and throat. Male also has a gray collar and rusty-tinged upperparts and sides. Female has a weaker, paler head pattern, a partial collar, and tan underparts. Common in open areas with a range of different vegetation cover, including forest edges, farmlands, and meadows. The only bunting in its range to give multiple call notes in a series instead of isolated chips.

Found in tropical lowlands and foothills, migratory in northern part of its range. Favors forest edges, plantations, and clearings with tall trees. Named for its behavior of stealing already-built nests of oropendolas and becards. Usually seen as single birds high in the canopy, often perching on exposed branches and calling persistently: a penetrating whistled “swee-u,” repeated and alternated with “ji-ji-jit.” Combination of striped head, small bill, and blurry dark streaking below is distinctive.

A medium-sized nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Note yellowish-green plumage, blackish wings and tail, and red eyes. Male has purple tints on his head. Female browner, with a bluish gloss on the head. Juveniles show a clear yellowish cheek stripe. Widespread in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Favors native and exotic forest, scrub, and urban parks and gardens. Listen for its melodious song consisting of a series of tuneful notes. Alarm call is a harsh, rapidly repeated “yeng.” Distinguished from European Greenfinch by lack of a pale, conical bill and larger size. Listen for lack of grunts, wheezes, and clicks to distinguish song from that of Tui.