New Ireland Munia
Lonchura forbesi
A small grassland-loving finch with a light orange chest and belly. Richly brown above, with a black head. Tail golden, undertail black. Found in most patches of tall grass up to 1000 meters of elevation. Other munias occur in the same areas, but New Ireland’s bold color patterns make for simple identification. Most common call is a chorus of soft “peep” and “see” notes, but overall relatively quiet.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lonchura forbesi
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1879)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Lonchura
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

White-tailed Alethe
Alethe diademata
A forest skulker with clean-cut pale underparts, a gray wash on the side of the breast and face, and rusty brown upperparts and central crown. The tail has distinctive white tips to the outer feathers. Juvenile is heavily spotted above. A shy and inconspicuous resident in the dense understory of lowland and mid-altitude forest up to 1500 meters, found singly and in pairs; several individuals may follow ant swarms, where they lose their fear of humans. Sings a loud musical 3–4 note “whooo-wheet-whooee” and similar melodic notes; also gives harsh “chht” calls.

Urubamba Antpitta
Grallaria occabambae
Plump, mostly terrestrial bird with long legs and a short tail found at high elevations in the eastern Andes of southern Peru. Plumage is mostly chestnut brown but is slightly paler on the belly. Similar to Leymebamba Antpitta, but larger, longer legged, and lacks gray in the plumage. The white eyering helps to separate it from Ayacucho Antpitta. Voice is also very helpful for ID; depending on location, it gives either three quick whistles with a pause after the first, or just two whistles. Also sometimes sings a longer, decelerating series of around ten notes. Usually stays well-hidden on or near the forest floor. Formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.

Jameson's Snipe
Gallinago jamesoni
Chunky snipe of very high elevations in the Andes. Plumage has a complicated pattern of brown, buff, and black; note extensive barring on underparts and thick, drooping bill. Might be confused with Noble Snipe, but does not have a white belly. Compared to Imperial Snipe, it is smaller and lacks the warm, cinnamon coloration. Jameson’s Snipe inhabits paramo grasslands and stunted forest near tree line. Shy and rarely encountered unless flushed, when it gives a burst of sharp, abrupt “kek” notes.
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