Moustached Treeswift
Hemiprocne mystacea
An enormous, long-tailed swift of lowland and foothill forest edge. In flight, long, thin wings with a white line behind the black trailing edge, and a long, forked tail usually held to a point. When perched in trees, shows 2 white plumes along the face, and males have a rusty ear-patch between. Often seen flying at dawn and dusk. The only treeswift in its range and no other swift comes close to the size or tail length. A sharp “kwik! kwik! kwik” or downward, raptorlike “kweeuu!”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Hemiprocne mystacea
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP & Garnot, 1827)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Hemiprocnidae
- Genus
- Hemiprocne
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Slender Antbird
Rhopornis ardesiacus
Large, long-tailed antbird. Males are gray, paler below, with a black bib. Females have a chestnut cap and white throat. Occurs in the understory of hillside deciduous forests that are rich in bromeliads and lianas. Both sexes sing a series of “peer” notes.
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Plumage relatively dull and dark: grayish brown to grayish above with weak darker streaking; dingy whitish below with heavy and rather blurry dark streaking. Also note the dark legs (pink on smaller and buffier Meadow Pipit, which often occurs in coastal grassland adjacent to Rock Pipits). Song is a bland, repetitive, high-pitched series, often accelerating towards the end. Call a high, lisping, slightly harsh "ssiip", very similar to that of Water Pipit. Like other pipits, walks strongly and often pumps its tail a little. Found along rocky coasts; infrequent inland. Often seen on rocks and adjacent areas with short grass.
New Hanover Munia
Lonchura nigerrima
A small, little-known bird of grasslands and clearings on New Hanover in the Bismarck islands. Black underparts, back and face, brown wings, yellow rump and tail, and a silver-gray bill. Probably the only munia on New Hanover Island. Usually seen in flocks. Somewhat similar to New Ireland & Buff-breasted Munia of neighbouring New Ireland, but New Hanover has a black belly. Voice, gives quiet, tinkling notes and a nasal flight call.
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