Australian Spectacled Monarch

Relatively small plain plover, found from Java east through the Lesser Sundas. Brown above and white below, with a neat white collar, forehead, and eyebrow. Brown shoulder spur sometimes forms a complete thin band across the chest. Breeding adults have orange tinging behind the eye and around the collar. Juvenile is similar to non-breeding adult, but has pale-fringed upper body feathers. Very similar to Kentish Plover, but note Javan’s warm brown patch behind ears, lack of orange on the crown in breeding plumage, and paler legs. Malaysian Plover is also similar, but always has white fringes on brown upper body feathers, and warm tones on the head. A coastal species, found on beaches, mudflats, estuaries, fishponds, and wet fields. Gives soft peeps and a questioning “week?”

Medium-sized songbird, endemic to the Lesser Sundas and far eastern Java. Throughout much of range, the typical Golden-type Whistler: brightly-colored males have a striking black-and-white head and flashy yellow collar, breast, and belly, while considerably duller females are brownish overall with paler underparts, whitish throat, and yellow vent. Like other Pacycephala whistlers, a forest species, often seen gleaning insects from the foliage, or heard giving its loud, vibrant, rising song. Also gives a rising “weet” call.

Dark brown with long black streaks down its throat, this laughingthrush gives the impression of a large, blown-up bush warbler. Like many other laughingthrushes, skulks deep in shrubby undergrowth both within forests and at forest edges. Makes up for its unassuming appearance with a beautiful and lengthy song of musical notes. Not as social as some other laughingthrushes, typically moving singly, in pairs, or at most in small flocks.