Black-faced Coucal
Centropus melanops
A large, long-tailed bird of forest tangles in the lowlands and lower mountains of the southern Philippines. Distinguished by black belly and tail, chestnut wings, cream color from the upper back and chest up to the top of the crown, and a triangular black mask on the face reaching a point at the back of the head. No other similar species in range. Skulking and more often heard than seen. Gives a deep, rapid “wup-wup!” or a lazy, upslurred “woooop!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Centropus melanops
- Authority
- Lesson, RP, 1830
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Centropus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Shoebill
Balaeniceps rex
Utterly unique bird that makes up its own family. The plumage is uniformly gray in adults and brownish in immatures. Structure is stork-like overall, but with a thick neck and massive hooked bill. In flight, which is sometimes quite high, the long legs trail. Found in deep marshes, especially papyrus swamp. Usually alone or in pairs.
Ultramarine Kingfisher
Todiramphus leucopygius
A distinctive medium-sized blue-and-white kingfisher with a prominent dark mask, blue crown, bright white neck and underparts, blue wings and back, and reddish undertail. Male has a white rump. Found in primary and secondary forest up to 2000 meters of elevation, often on forest edge. Combination of extensive dark mask and red undertail are diagnostic. Voice is a loud, attention-grabbing “kidek-kidek-kidek.”
White-bellied Mountain-gem
Lampornis hemileucus
Medium-sized hummingbird, male mostly green above with purple throat, thin white line behind eye, and bright white belly. Female not quite as colorful but still unique with white belly and line behind eye; she has a spotted throat. A forest hummingbird that also comes out to edges and gardens.
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