White-crowned Penduline-Tit

Remiz coronatus

While the male does have a pale crown, his broad, round-edged black mask is far more noticeable. Female is plainer, with a brown crown and a small pale mask; the similar European and Chinese Penduline-Tit females have darker, more prominent masks. Breeds in shrubs and low trees in wet areas and winters in reedbeds, forests, and scrubby areas. Call is a drawn-out plaintive whistle, and song is short, ending on a decisive “chip” note.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Remiz coronatus
Authority
(Severtsov, 1873)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Remizidae
Genus
Remiz

Range and habitat

Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pollen's Vanga

Pollen's Vanga

Xenopirostris polleni

Large, black-hooded, big-billed vanga. Males are white below, while females are pale rufous. Madagascar endemic that is found locally in eastern rainforest. Can be found solo or in pairs, sometimes in flocks with other vangas. Most common vocalizations are a sharp, rising whistle and a “chi-che-che” scold. Separated from Van Dam’s and Lafresnaye’s Vangas by range. Separated from Madagascar Cuckooshrike and Tylas Vanga by much larger bill. Unlike Madagascar Cuckooshrike, never shows gray underparts. 

Flame Bowerbird

Flame Bowerbird

Sericulus ardens

A very brightly-colored bowerbird of lowland and foothill forests in southern New Guinea. Male unmistakeable. Bright yellow body with black wing edge and tail. Scarlet from the head down to the shoulders and back, resembling a headscarf. Sometimes a yellow line up the center of the chest up to the bill. Female, brown above with yellow underparts and also a distinctive yellow line down the throat. Makes an avenue bower in clearings. Calls, a downward squeal “kwiiiiiiuuu!” and some harsh rasping.

Red-tailed Vanga

Red-tailed Vanga

Calicalicus madagascariensis

Small vanga that is built like a chickadee or tit. Male is colorful and female plain brownish. Madagascar endemic that is found in all forest types, though absent from much of the southwestern spiny forest. Very active and vocal bird that often leads forest flocks. Most common vocalization is a wolf whistle. Separated from Red-shouldered Vanga by its dark eye and less red on the wing. Female very similar to the rare and localized Red-tailed Newtonia, but identified by its larger size, much larger bill, and buffy ring around the eye. 

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