New Britain Boobook

A medium-sized bird of grasslands. Long, pointed tail, upperparts with bold, black streaks, pale gray underparts and a whitish throat. Crown, wing and tail washed rufous. Likes to stay hidden but when flushed, flies low, from one clump of vegetation to the next. Separated geographically from Fly River and Tawny Grassbirds. Little Grassbird is smaller and lacks rufous in the wing. Australian Reed-Warbler, superficially similar but lacks streaking. More often heard than seen. Voice, an explosive “chwik!” often given while sat on top of vegetation.

Small and rotund with obvious teardrop-shaped plumes protruding from forehead. Looks gray and brown at a distance, with white streaks on the sides and a scaly belly. Males have black face and longer, more curled crest than females. Usually seen in flocks running on the ground in open, scrubby habitats. Listen for frequent, three-noted call, audible at long distances. Separated from similar Gambel’s Quail by range; also note California has scaly belly with rusty (not black) patch and duller brown crown and sides. Native to western North America including Baja California; well-established introduced populations in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

A small, active warbler of lowland and mid-elevation forest understory that is green above and gray below with a noticeable pale eyebrow. Similar to migratory warblers, especially Willow Warbler, but note Uganda Woodland-Warbler’s grayer underparts, paler throat, and yellowish vent. Song is a fast, jumbled mix of high-pitched notes.