Sumatran Treepie

Dendrocitta occipitalis

A dapper and long-tailed inhabitant of Java’s foothill and montane forests. Warm brown overall, with a silvery nape, dark face, and jet-black wings marked with a small white patch. Extremely long, round-tipped tail is silver-gray above with a dark tip, and predominantly dark below with a pale band near the tip. Forages at all levels of the forest, often hopping amongst leaf clusters and moving between trees in fast, fluttering flight. Calls include coarse grating squawks, a fluid “tlee’lee”, and a series of short hoarse “whurr!” notes.

Identification

The Sumatran treepie or Sunda treepie (Dendrocitta occipitalis) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae. It is endemic to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. The Bornean treepie (D. cinerascens) is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of this bird.

Taxonomy

Genus: Dendrocitta; Family: Corvidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Dendrocitta occipitalis
Authority
(Müller, S, 1836)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Corvidae
Genus
Dendrocitta

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglecta

Streaked brown above and yellow below with distinctive black "V" on breast. In flight, short wings and spiky tail with white outer feathers are apparent. Breeds in fields and grasslands throughout much of western North America, regularly as far east as Michigan. Winters in a wider range of open habitats, even agricultural fields and roadsides. Extremely similar to Eastern Meadowlark and best distinguished by voice: listen for musical gurgling song and "chuk" calls. In winter, plumage looks paler and more washed-out than Eastern Meadowlark, with a less contrasting head pattern. Western is also more likely to be in flocks and areas with shorter grass (less pristine, extensive grasslands).

Guianan Red-Cotinga

Guianan Red-Cotinga

Phoenicircus carnifex

Handsome but seldom-seen cotinga of lowland rainforest. Males are brilliant red and dark rich brown; females are duller but identifiable by red and brown plumage and manakin-like shape. Occurs in mid-story and canopy, where they are usually seen alone. Feeds on fruit which it takes in short sallies from a nearby perch. In limited area of overlap with Black-necked Red-Cotinga, note Guianan’s browner plumage and less clean-cut appearance. Generally quiet; male display sounds include a high-pitched wing whirring and short, explosive calls, both of which may be heard away from display sites.

Javan Fulvetta

Javan Fulvetta

Alcippe pyrrhoptera

Unremarkable-looking warm brown songbird. Endemic to Java’s montane and submontane broadleaf forests, where it is a common member of mixed flocks. Note warm rusty-toned wings and tail, long-tailed and round-headed profile, and slender dark line above the eye (sometimes inconspicuous). Song is a sad-sounding series of whistles. Calls include a fast rattling call, as well as a high-pitched, tinkling “ji’jink.”

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