Dusky Gerygone

Gerygone tenebrosa

Small bird with thin bill (longer than on most other gerygones), found only in dense mangroves along the northwestern Australian coast. Grayish brown above, off-white below, with pale eye. Juvenile has brownish eye. Similar Mangrove Gerygone has red eye, smaller bill, and white patches in tail; Large-billed Gerygone has dark eye and heavier bill. Unlikely to be seen outside mangrove habitat.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Gerygone tenebrosa
Authority
(Hall, R, 1901)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Acanthizidae
Genus
Gerygone

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Yungipicus kizuki

Small black-and-white woodpecker with round-headed, short-billed profile. Both sexes have a pale, lightly streaked belly and white bars on the back, but only the male has a tiny red fleck at the back of the eyebrow. Often forages on thin twigs and outreaching branches too slender for other woodpeckers, hanging upside down like a tit or nuthatch. Slightly larger Gray-capped Woodpecker is longer-billed, with a buffy belly and different head pattern. Gives extremely high, thin “tsi tsi tsi” calls and a single quick, echoing drum.

New Caledonian Friarbird

New Caledonian Friarbird

Philemon diemenensis

Large, vociferous honeyeater with a long, heavy bill. Typical friarbird plumage, mostly brown with grayer wings and tail, and paler plume-like feathers on the chest. Larger than Dark-brown Honeyeater, with notably larger bill and lankier proportions. Found throughout New Caledonia and on most of the Loyalty Islands. Extremely varied, loud voice a major component of the dawn chorus on the island.

Black-and-buff Woodpecker

Black-and-buff Woodpecker

Meiglyptes jugularis

Adorably tiny and stout woodpecker. Triangular crest makes the head seem disproportionately large at a distance. Odd patchy black-and-white patterning is unique and easily recognizable. Male has a subtle reddish tinge to the bill base, but the two sexes are otherwise quite similar. Inhabits lowland to foothill forests, where it prefers open patches and edges. Forages in pairs or singly, poking about on slender branches and around leaf clusters. Gives a squeaky two-note call and a high-pitched rattling trill.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.