Green-headed Sunbird

Cyanomitra verticalis

Medium-sized sunbird in which males have an iridescent green head and breast, and females a green helmet. Depending on the light, these green areas can sometimes look blue. The pale yellow shoulder tufts are usually hidden. Found at low and middle elevations in lush woodland, gardens, and forest. Often in pairs, and sometimes in mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations include mewing and scolding calls, and a song that starts with hesitant notes but then breaks into a long trill. Male similar to male Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, but paler overall, with a larger area of iridescent green rather than blue on the head.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Cyanomitra verticalis
Authority
(Latham, 1790)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Nectariniidae
Genus
Cyanomitra

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Striated Lorikeet

Striated Lorikeet

Charmosyna multistriata

A rare, medium-sized lorikeet of foothill and lower montane forest. Green body with yellow-green striations on the face and underparts, and a gray band from the eye around the back of the head. Bicolored bill is blue-gray above and orange-yellow below. In flight, lacks the yellow bar in the wing or any red. Travels in pairs or small groups, but gathers in larger groups at flowering trees. Similar to Goldie’s Lorikeet but Striated has light streaks and lacks the pink face. Sounds like other closely-related species.

Brown Crake

Brown Crake

Zapornia akool

A round, softly-colored inhabitant of rice fields, wet shrubby areas, and reedbeds. Despite its use of sheltered habitats, this is one of the bolder rails, and can be seen wandering in the open. The upperparts are brown and the face, breast, and belly are gray. Yellow-based bill is also often surprisingly visible even when hidden in vegetation. Constantly cocks tail upwards and downwards as it forages.

Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker

Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker

Prionochilus xanthopygius

Brightly-colored pinball of a bird. Male is blue above and yellow below with a narrow red crown and an orange flush on the breast. Female has a gray head, olive-yellow wings, and yellow underparts that are slightly duller than the male’s; also note white throat. Both sexes have namesake yellow rump. Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker can be similar; note lack of white moustache stripe on Yellow-rumped. Forages actively in all levels of forest and forest edge in lowlands and foothills.

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