Socotra Sunbird

A medium-sized, boldly-patterned, dark-and-white eagle. In flight the underwing is brown and white with a thick black hind edge, and the tail is mostly pale gray with a thick dark bar at the end; these combine to give it a unique plumage pattern in flight. Immature birds have entirely rufous underparts, including the underwings. Resident in semi-arid rangelands, savanna, and riverine forest, where it primarily hunts birds; francolins and guineafowls are favored. Fairly quiet, but occasionally utters a distinctive melodious “klooeee”.

Small flycatcher with a long tail, which is often held cocked. Has an olive back and whitish underparts. Note the two yellow wingbars and the white eyebrow. A range-restricted species found in a few higher-elevation forest fragments, where it forages in the subcanopy and often accompanies mixed-species flocks. The song is a fast series of high “dju” notes.

A medium-sized blue-and-white kingfisher with a pale blue crown, a black eye mask, and a mostly white body with blue wings and tail. Female has blue rump, while male’s is white. Bill is entirely black. Prefers lowland primary forest up to 1000 meters of elevation, but also recorded in degraded forest. Forest Kingfisher is slightly larger with a green back and rump and a more prominent white spot in front of the eye. Sacred Kingfisher and local race of Pacific Kingfisher are more buff in pale areas and overall more greenish-blue than pure blue. Beach Kingfisher is much larger and overall paler. New Britain Kingfisher’s call is a rapidly descending “kee-ku-ko-ko” or a light cackling trill.