Rio Negro Gnatcatcher

A small flycatcher found in the midstory of both wooded and bamboo forests in lowland and hill regions. In much of range, male is dazzling sapphire-blue with a dirty-white belly; lack of other markings or warm coloration distinguishes it from other flycatchers. In western parts of the range (formerly treated as a subspecies of Blue-throated Flycatcher), males have an orange upper breast and “notch” in the otherwise blue lower throat. Female is brown with a pale orange throat and chest. Often joins mixed flocks. Song is a short but pleasant and generally descending high-pitched series, typically incorporating whistled and trilled phrases. Call is sharp “tsik-tsik-tsik”, akin to scissors snipping.

Small gray-and-white gadfly petrel. Note distinctive dark gray cap extending from the crown down the sides of the face, nape and neck to the wing, contrasting with white face. Upperwings dark gray with distinctive dark ‘M’ that extends across the wings. Underparts all white apart from a broad black band at the bend of the wing which extends towards the tip and diagonally back towards, but not reaching, the body. Two subspecies; breeds off of New South Wales and along the central mountain range of New Caledonia respectively. Migrates east and north across Pacific Ocean after breeding. Distinguished from other gadfly petrels by darker cap, and broader dark band on underwing. Can be seen feeding in association with other seabirds, tuna and dolphins.

A brightly colored inhabitant of thickets and scrub near water. The combination of blue-gray upperparts, extensively yellow underparts, white wingbars, and distinctive facial pattern are unique within its range. The song is variable, but most often is a burbling series of sweet notes given in three parts, with the middle part higher pitched. The call is a single loud sweet chip.