Palau Nightjar

Woodstars are tiny hummingbirds that fly like bumblebees. Gorgeted Woodstar is found in the subtropical and temperate zone of the Andes from Venezuela to Ecuador, where it inhabits cloud forest, edges, and second growth. Males are deep emerald-green (more of a bluish tone than other woodstars) with a glittering wine-colored throat and white patches on the sides of the rump. Females are trickier; note the rufous rump and tail with a black band at the base, extremely small size, short tail, and buffy infusion on the throat. On both sexes, bill often appears slightly decurved, more than other woodstars. Sometimes seen singly feeding in the canopy or at lower patches of flowers. Visits feeders.

A medium-sized honeyeater of montane forest and edge on the Bird’s Head of New Guinea. Dark gray with a black head and chest. White streaking from the upper belly gets broader, to all pale in the base of the tail. The most prominent feature is the large yellow patch of bare facial skin centered around the eye. No other co-occuring honeyeaters have this color and shape facial patch. Call, a long croaking whistle “Wuueeeeeeuuuuu!” first rising then falling back down.

Medium-sized harrier, flies with wings held in a V-shape, low over open fields and marshes, listening for rodents lurking below. Distinctive foraging behavior and conspicuous white patch on rump in all plumages. Five long primary ‘finger tips’ prominent in flight. Females and immatures are warm brown with streaky breasts. Adult male has plain mid-gray wings with black wingtips and paler belly.