Mayr's Swiftlet

Fruit-loving, forest-dwelling pigeon with the coloration of a green mango. Gathers in flocks in fruiting trees and races by overhead in fast, direct flight. Note darker-centered feathers under the tail and bright yellowish linings on the wing feathers. Black-and-white outer tail edges are often exposed in flight. The only green-pigeon on Timor; all-green plumage readily separates this species from imperial-pigeons and fruit-doves. Very rare or extirpated in Indonesian West Timor, and declining in East Timor due to hunting and habitat loss. Gives oddly creaky rising coo: “aw-woo-wUUOO.”

Uniquely colored large pigeon of mid- to high-altitude broadleaf and mixed forests. Grayish overall, with a deep maroon back, ashy gray head, chestnut streaking on the belly, and fine white spots on the upperwing. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, feeding at fruiting trees. Listen out for its call, a deep, booming ‘Woo-hoo! Hooo…hooo,’ often heard emanating from the canopy.

A typical thrush with a dark gray back and breast, a black head, and a white belly with rufous sides. Also note the orange bill, eye-ring, and legs. A scarce bird that is endemic to the Taita Hills of southeast Kenya. Found in the understory of remnant scraps of montane forest, where it is shy and retiring. Distinctive within its tiny range. It has a typical thrush song, and its “chk-chk” and thin “tseeep” calls often reveal this understory specialist.