Spotted Jewel-babbler
Ptilorrhoa leucosticta
A medium-sized, long-tailed, ground-dwelling bird of montane forest. Gray underparts, rufous crown and large, white spots in the wing. Obvious white cheeks which join in a narrow white band across the mid-throat, with black above and small white dots below. Races differ with either a green or brown back. Overlaps with the vaguely similar Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler, especially with an all-too-likely fleeting view, but Spotted is smaller, has a spotted wing and lacks the blue plumage. Song, a quickly repeated whistled note often with a crescendo. Call, a “whip” note.
Identification
The spotted jewel-babbler (Ptilorrhoa leucosticta) is a species of bird in the family Cinclosomatidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Taxonomy
Genus: Ptilorrhoa; Family: Cinclosomatidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Ptilorrhoa leucosticta
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1874)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cinclosomatidae
- Genus
- Ptilorrhoa
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Chloropsis hardwickii
The only leafbird within its range with an orange belly. Male is unmistakable with a blue-and-black face pattern, a solid orange belly, and green-and-blue wings. Female is green all over with blue cheeks and less extensive orange on the belly. The female can be confused with female Blue-winged Leafbird, but Orange-bellied has an orange belly and more blue on the face than Blue-winged Leafbird. Often moves about quietly in the upper layers of hilly and montane forests, gleaning insects from branches and foraging at fruiting and flowering trees. Frequently incorporates the songs and calls of other species into its vocalizations.
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
Small to medium-sized hawk with relatively short rounded wings and rounded tail. Adults are gray above with pale orange barring below; immatures are browner and streaky. Very similar to Sharp-shinned Hawk, but larger with bigger head. Also note deeper, slower wingbeats. Breeds in forested areas; more common in suburban areas than Sharp-shinned Hawk. Feeds mainly on birds captured in flight. Often stalks feeders in search of prey.
Common Sandpiper
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Small bicolored sandpiper which often bobs its tail in a distinctively wagtail-like manner. Plain brown with white underparts; distinguished from bulkier and rounder-headed Green Sandpiper by a prominent white spur at the shoulder. Found in a variety of wetland habitats; breeds on stony ground along rivers and lakeshores, with migrants occurring on muddy and rocky substrates from concrete canal banks to channels in tidal mudflats. Mainly found as singles or in small groups, not in flocks or mixed with other species.
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