White-throated Seedeater

Unobtrusive, rather chunky bird of forest canopy in tropical forest of humid lowlands. Most often seen as a single male perched on exposed high branches, less often at fruiting trees where can be quite low. Male is unmistakable: brilliant electric blue (glowing even at long range) with plum-colored throat and belly patch. Female very different: pale grayish overall with white scalloping above and dusky dappling below. Basically silent.

Small social songbird, often encountered foraging in upper levels of forest. Mostly olive-green above with a yellow undertail. Belly, chest, and throat gray. Note the smudgy black patch in front of the eye. Found in forest and forest edge from 500 to 2000 meters of elevation, but down to 50 meters of elevation on Makira. Similar to Yellow-throated White-eye, but upperparts less yellow and throat gray. Common calls include a loud mellow “peeeu” and high-pitched “peep-peep” foraging calls.

Widespread and beautiful, this jewel of a bird bounces about on the shaded forest floor like a luminous ball, where it can be surprisingly difficult to spot. If seen, note emerald-green body, black head, ruby-red lower belly, and powder-blue wing patch. Birds from the Himalayas east to much of mainland Southeast Asia have a warm brown crown stripe; these birds are migratory, and may turn up in unexpected places, such as city parks. Listen for loud, barking song in a range of wooded habitats, from deep forest to plantations. Formerly grouped together with several other closely related species as “Hooded Pitta.”