Bat-like Spinetail

An elongated, metallic-green-black bird with red feet and a long, decurved, red-orange bill. Juveniles have dark bills but are often in the company of adults. It flies heavily, with the long floppy, white-tipped tail dangling behind. Pairs and groups of up to 14 birds are highly social, occupying savanna, woodland, riverine forest, and gardens, where they nest and roost in natural cavities. Clambers in trees, probing bark and crevices for insects and small vertebrates. They communicate using a strong cackling chatter that sounds maniacal. The almost identical Grant’s and Violet woodhoopoes (with which it sometimes hybridizes) differ from Green Woodhoopoe only by having a coppery-purple (not glossy greenish) metallic sheen.

A bizarre, large and heavy-billed white-eye that is notably distinctive among a group of birds famed for being homogeneous. Note gray plumage overall contrasting with olive head and wings. Unusually shy for a white-eye, typically found skulking low in dense growth. Only potential confusion species on Lifou is the resident subspecies of Silverye, which is smaller with a smaller bill, brighter plumage, and contrasting black in the face. Best found via its relatively low-pitched, pleasant song made up of mellow whistled notes.

Large nightjar with dark plumage and long wings. Has blackish-brown broad spots and streaks above and is brown and white spotted below. Note the buffy collar on the nape. Males have a white tipped tail while the female’s tail tips are buffy. Found at the forest edge and in the forest interior, preferring thickets and areas with a bamboo understory. The song is a mournful and undulating “doh, wheo, eeo,” often repeated for long periods.