Samoan Starling

Slim, long-tailed, all-black flycatcher with a pale yellow eye. Found along the edge and in clearings within Albertine Rift montane forest. Single birds of pairs perch out on conspicuous perches, sometimes quite low. Calls include low chuckling notes and a high, thin whistle; the song is a whispy, complex mix of high-pitched notes. Distinguished from all similar black birds by its pale eye.

Very large wren that tends to be common throughout its wide range. Overall brownish plumage is geographically variable - northern populations have dense dark brown spots on paler underparts, while southern populations are more uniformly medium-brown above and below, with a few spots on the lower belly and vent. Mostly found in the canopy of humid forests, including disturbed areas; southern populations also occur in tangles and edges of semi-humid woodland. Distinctive song of loud, mellow, chortling notes is a regular sound anywhere this species occurs.

Brilliantly-colored forest bird, typically encountered in flocks. Coloration varies significantly throughout wide distribution, with males ranging from black-and-crimson (most of mainland Asia) to black-and-yellow (southern Philippines) and black-and-orange (Java and Bali). Females are predominantly gray-and-yellow, but southern Philippine and western Indonesian birds are black-and-yellow. In all subspecies, note colored “blotches” on the wings (other minivets have cleaner wing patterns) and female’s yellow forehead. Gives high whistled “wheeep” notes, often when flying over the treetops.