Visayan Bulbul

A fairly common, long-tailed kingfisher of primary and degraded forest on Biak Island where it is the only paradise-kingfisher. White underparts, rump and long tail with large spatules, thick red bill, dark blue upperparts and pale blue flecked head, shoulder patch and narrow part of the tail. It sits still in the midstorey where it pumps its tail up and down. Calls, a slightly arhythmic series of soft “piu” notes, or a rising and accelerating series of sharper “puuu puu pipipipipipi! often given in duet.

Large dark-backed gull with enormous golden yellow bill with thick red tip (red on both upper and lower parts of beak), yellow legs, black tail tip. Juvenile is heavily marked grayish. Occurs mainly along the coast of southern Australia. Identified from Kelp Gull by larger size, thicker bill, and black tail tip.

Small nightjar of savanna and grassland with scattered bushes and palmettos. Spends the day roosting cryptically on the ground, but at night may be found beside quiet roads and tracks. Like all nightjars, eyes reflect amber-red in lights. Plumage similar to other nightjars, but note the pale buffy eyebrow, buffy V-shaped stripe on the back, and bold wing spotting. Male has small white tail tip, lacking in female. White spots on male’s tail usually only visible in the hand. Song is high and insectlike, unlikely to draw attention.