Scale-feathered Malkoha
Dasylophus cumingi
A spectacular large, long-tailed bird of lowland and montane forest. Blackish, with glossy wings, a white-tipped tail, rufous underparts and back, a yellow bill, red skin in front of and behind the eye, and a white hood with a line of scaled feathers down from the bill and up over the crown. Forages at all levels for insects and other prey, particularly in vine tangles. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Similar in size and shape to Red-crested Malkoha, but Scale-feathered has an obvious white hood. Call is a chilling, high-pitched shriek.
Identification
Large, with unique plastic-like feathers on head and throat, sexes alike. And whole head grey, almost white on the throat with feather on top of head and Down center of throat to upper breast tipped with black scale-like feathers; upper back forming a continuous bend with chestnut on lower breast; back, wings, and graduated white-tipped tail glossy black on lower belly and under tail coverts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Dasylophus cumingi
- Authority
- (Fraser, 1839)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Dasylophus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Small sleek tanager with distinctive color pattern: pale sandy underparts with peachy blush on breast, black mask, powdery-blue crown, and darker blue back and wings. Sexes alike. Uncommon in second growth, edges, and gardens, where it is most often seen singly or in pairs. Occasionally follows mixed-species flocks. Found from foothills to upper subtropical zone in Andes, sometimes straying even higher. Populations in southeastern South America occur at lower elevations.
Cape Barren Goose
Cereopsis novaehollandiae
Very large, heavy-set pale gray goose found across parts of coastal southern Australia. Note pale yellow and slightly drooping bill. Mostly seen as pairs or loose flocks scattered around coastal wetlands, salt marshes, and grassy pasture areas.
Northern Yellow White-eye
Zosterops senegalensis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird that is saturated with yellow. Note the yellow underparts, olive-yellow back, and bold white spectacles around the eyes. There is some geographical variation in the overall coloration, darkness of the back, and extent of yellow above the bill. Found in forest, savanna, scrub, gardens, moist woodland, and plantations, usually in hyperactive flocks that can contain many individuals. Often joins mixed flocks with other small birds. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Similar to Pale White-eye, but usually separated by range; shows more yellow above the bill, is more richly-colored overall, and prefers moister habitats. Similar to Green and Forest White-eyes, but slightly paler, and usually separated by its range and preference for drier habitat. Also similar to Southern Yellow White-eye, though usually separated by range; identification in areas of overlap is poorly understood.
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