New Britain Boobook
Ninox odiosa
A small brown owl confined to New Britain with a dark brown head, prominent white eyebrows and throat patch, and orange-yellow eyes. Broad brown chest band contrasts with pale mottled whitish underparts. Upperparts and wings dark chocolate brown with scattered white markings. Occurs in forest and in modified patches and clearings, in the lowlands and foothills. Distinctive: the only small brown owl on New Britain. Song is a distinctive, incessant series of “whoo” notes, rising in volume toward the end.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ninox odiosa
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1877
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Ninox
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Blue Eared-Pheasant
Crossoptilon auritum
A large gray terrestrial bird with an elegantly frilly tail. Bright red face and upswept white facial plumes (“ears”) are unique in its range. Found in both subalpine and alpine areas, preferring open forests in the former and scrubby meadows in the latter. Forages in small groups for most of the year, pairing off during the breeding season. Hunted in much of its range, thus wary and found in remote areas, far from settlements.
Pale White-eye
Zosterops flavilateralis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the yellow underparts and the narrow white spectacles around the eyes. Found in dry thorn savanna, woodland, and scrub. Usually in hyperactive flocks, and often joins mixed flocks. Very similar to African Yellow White-eye, but shows less yellow above the bill, looks more washed-out overall, and prefers drier habitats. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes.
Marico Sunbird
Cinnyris mariquensis
Male is iridescent green above with a dark belly and maroon and bluish bands across the breast. Female is nondescript, with blurry streaks across the pale yellow underparts. Found in woodland, scrub, and savanna, including semi-desert thornscrub. Most distinctive vocalization is an energetic series of “tyip” notes. Also gives a high-pitched, jumbled song. Very similar to several other sunbird species but distinguished by slightly larger size and longer bill with a thicker base.
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