Black-throated Barbet

Large, conspicuous songbird with long decurved bill, dark gray mask, pale gray crown, and whitish eye. Underparts variably reddish brown, with white throat and upper breast. Juvenile similar but eye dark. Forages in small groups actively, almost comically, through open woodlands, including agricultural areas with some remaining native vegetation.

A distinctive whistler of dark, dingy appearance. Golden-olive above and bright yellow below, with a black hood and chest. Female golden below and olive above, with a gray head and a white throat. Mainly found in primary forest above 1200 meters of elevation, but does occasionally wander lower. Oriole Whistler also occurs but male has a bright golden throat, neck, and belly, and female is dark brown above and beige streaked with ruddy below. Bougainville Hooded Whistler’s voice is a mix of loud, almost electronic staccato whistles.

Fairly large, mostly green woodpecker, unmistakable throughout much of range. Note red crown, pale eyes, and black face (male has red whisker mark). Yellowish rump shows mainly in slightly undulating flight. Juvenile is extensively barred and spotted all over, and lacks the contrasting face pattern. Inhabits open woodland, heathland, gardens, and farmland with hedges and scattered larger trees. Unlike most woodpeckers, feeds mainly on the ground, including garden lawns, probing into anthills and moving with an odd, shuffling gait. Gives loud, bright “kee-kee-kee-kee-kee” and drums rather infrequently.