Kadavu Fantail

A medium-sized gray and grayish-brown starling with a thin dark eye mask and a pale yellow eye. Prefers undisturbed montane forest above 150 meters of elevation, but occurs irregularly down to 30 meters. Pohnpei Starling is much smaller and uniformly matte grayish-brown with a dark eye. Rarotonga’s voice consists mostly of squeaks, whistles, and bell-like notes.

Tiny, mouse-like bird of tepui forest understory. Entirely dark rufous-brown with a stubby tail. Found only in humid, mossy forest on tepui slopes, mostly above 1000 meters, where it is difficult to see, staying close to the ground as it crawls over roots, rocks, and large branches. Usually encountered alone and does not follow mixed-species flocks. Most easily detected by its extraordinary song: a variable series of short, pure whistles, rising and falling but usually ending with several notes on the same pitch; humanlike and easily imitated. May pop into view in response to imitation or playback, bobbing nervously before disappearing. Could be confused with Tepui Wren, but is darker brown overall and lacks buffy eyebrow.

As the name indicates, a dark gray fantail with a white belly. Also note white eyebrow and white-tipped tail feathers. Malaysian Pied Fantail is somewhat similar, but has a bright white throat, is darker overall, and favors different habitats. Inhabits foothill and montane forests, where it is generally uncommon. Forages actively, often associating with mixed flocks, moving through the lower and middle levels of forest. Often in dense, tangled vegetation. Song is a jumble of high whistled notes. Calls include a quiet “ch’reer” and pips.