Torresian Kingfisher

Todiramphus sordidus

Large kingfisher with variable plumage, but always appears as a much greener and browner bird than either Forest or Sacred kingfishers. Note pale spot in front of the eyes that does not extend back over the eye. Occur exclusively among mangroves and adjacent mudflats and rock-shelves.

Taxonomy

Three subspecies are recognised:

Scientific name
Todiramphus sordidus
Authority
(Gould, 1842)
Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Alcedinidae
Genus
Todiramphus

Photos

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Nashville Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Small warbler with sharply pointed bill. Look for gray head, white eyering, yellow underparts (including throat), and olive upperparts. Sometimes pumps tail. Two disjunct breeding populations are very similar in appearance. Breeds in coniferous or mixed forests, often near clearings, second-growth, or bogs. In migration and winter, tends to be found in patchy woodland or brushy areas, including field edges and thickets. Winters primarily in Mexico. Listen for its loud chipping song, broken into two parts. Compare dull immature Nashville with Virginia’s Warbler; Nashvilles always have greenish wings. Also sometimes mistaken for larger gray-headed warblers like Mourning or Connecticut, but Nashville is much smaller, shorter-tailed, and sharper-billed.

Dusky-blue Flycatcher

Dusky-blue Flycatcher

Bradornis comitatus

A dapper slate-colored flycatcher with a distinctly pale throat and eyebrow, often found at the forest’s edge along roads, in clearings, and even in farmlands. A widespread but sometimes overlooked resident, sometimes occurring up into the mountains, that builds its own nest inside old abandoned weaver nests. Can be confused with other African flycatchers, but note Dusky-blue Flycatcher’s upright posture, habitat, and pale throat and lores. Song is variable, consisting of clear whistles and other calls given in groups of 2-10 notes. Calls include high-pitched “sip sip” and buzzy “zrt” notes.

Great Potoo

Great Potoo

Nyctibius grandis

A monstrous nightbird, superficially similar to an owl but not related. Pale mottled gray with large head; larger than other potoos and lacks a dark mustache stripe. Well camouflaged and difficult to spot; most often seen roosting on a horizontal limb during the day (less often on a broken off snag like other potoos). Found in forested areas and edges. Active at night, when it feeds on large insects. Listen for its terrifying call, a harsh descending scream.

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