Angola Cave-Chat

First observed in 2014 and only formally described in 2021, this small, long-tailed bird has only been found in cloud forests at 900-1500 meters in the Kumawa and Fakfak Mountains of West Papua. Male is glossy dark blue above and gleaming white below (faint yellow wash sometimes visible); compare with male Fan-tailed Berrypecker, which has grayish underparts. Female has not been definitively described, but individuals provisionally ascribed to female Satins have been olive above and dingy grayish with faint streaks below. Foraging behavior is still poorly understood, but has been seen joining mixed flocks and foraging in areas with tree-ferns and epiphytic growth in middle levels of forest. Vocalizations largely unknown.

Chunky, sluggish green bird of humid evergreen forest in tropical foothills and lowlands. Rarely seen, but often heard singing monotonously from the canopy. Forages mainly at middle to upper levels, at times with mixed-species feeding flocks. Plumage is bright green overall, blending well with the foliage. Note the yellow throat and stout gray bill; turquoise-blue crown usually not visible from below. Similar Blue-crowned Chlorophonia has brighter yellow belly and stubbier bill.

Male is entirely snowy white with stout dark bill. Female also has stout gray bill, but body entirely pale gray with obvious white edges on wing feathers. Rather chunky body with short tail and smoothly rounded head, large black eye. Distinctive in limited range. Found in forest canopy, often seen around fruiting trees. Frequently perches conspicuously, but can descend into foliage when feeding. Quiet.