Fiji Island-Thrush

Stumpy, short-tailed sunbird of the Western Ghats’ foothill forests. Male has a glossy dark green cap, a red back and chest, a dark purplish throat, and an off-white belly. As in most sunbirds, the female is comparatively drab, with brown upperparts, yellow-washed underparts, and a bright red rump. Listen for this species’ high tinkling song and sharp “chik” notes, often given while foraging.

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.

Small finchlike bird, compact and short tailed. Generally yellow below and dark blue-black above with stout, short bill. To identify male euphonias, focus on crown and throat: on Tawny-capped, crown is entirely russet-orange and throat is dark. Female shows a more limited orangey forehead, which narrows down the options. Also note grayish (not olive or brown) belly. Often in pairs or small flocks with males, which makes identification easier. Frequents forested habitats and edges. Can form mixed feeding flocks with other species such as warblers and tanagers.