Gray Friarbird

With its long curved bill, this uncommon Sumatran mountain forest endemic is unique within its limited range. Forages alone or in pairs, often in dense undergrowth where it can be difficult to see; listen for its song, a well-spaced series of even, clipped whistles that sound like they should be coming from a small owl. If lucky enough to catch a glimpse, look for a streaky dark brown body, very short tail, and bright white throat.

Large blue-gray jay with a black face and piercing yellow eyes. Note the white-tipped tail. Found at forest edges, in wooded savanna, in second growth, and in white sand forests, avoiding the interior of humid forests. The “Campina Jay” subspecies of southern Amazonia, considered a species by some authorities, has a pale azure rather than dark purplish-blue breast, a paler uppertail, and two bare blue skin patches around the eye. The call is a loud, harsh “jeer,” similar to the call of Violaceous Jay.

Brightly-colored male is unmistakable with his black mask, sky-blue head, and orange rump and underparts. Female is gray-brown with scaled underparts and faint white eye crescents; similar to larger female Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush, but lacks prominent white “ear crescents”, has less densely-patterned underparts, and averages paler overall. Breeds in hilly and montane areas, particularly open dry forests and rocky slopes with scattered trees. Descends in the winter; favors secondary forests and plantations. Forages in trees and on the ground; often searches for prey from snags or telephone wires. Moves with mixed-species flocks in the winter.