New Britain Rail

Retiring, olive and yellow warbler of savannas and grassy fields with scattered bushes or low palmetto shrubs. Not in wet marshes, unlike Common Yellowthroat. Perches on bushes and fences to sing and call, when often cocks and twitches tail, and sometimes raises a bushy crest. Sexes look alike, with a grayish crown and small black mask between the eyes and bill; populations south to Honduras have white eye-arcs, lacking in populations of southern Central America.

Long-tailed and thick-billed relative of the laughingthrushes, found only in foothill and lower montane forests on Java. Hops about in the upper levels of the forest, often in small single-species groups, as well as mixed flocks. When seen from below, note the bright white throat, black face, pale yellowish belly, and dark undertail with white-tipped feathers. If seen at a level angle, note rust-and-white striped back and sides. Fast, repetitive, up-and-down song is often given by multiple birds at once.

Chunky, dark brown quail of cloud forest and elfin forest. Dark brown body is spotted white below; black bandit mask and reddish crown are distinctive. May be found singly, in pairs, or in small groups. Quite secretive, and often goes undetected until flushed suddenly from nearly underfoot. Forages on the ground, climbing over mossy tree roots and scraping aside leaves with its feet to look for small prey. Listen for its low caroling song given at dusk, an often duetted “dwee-put, dwee-put….”