Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler

Very small, rather skulking flycatcher of dense tangles and thickets in humid tropical lowlands. Hops around like a sluggish warbler, often pausing motionless for long periods. Plumage is similar to many flycatchers—grayish head, olive upperparts with yellowish wing edgings, and pale yellowish belly—but note the rather long bill, pale eyes, habitat, and behavior. Similar Northern Bentbill favors more open forest understory, perches more upright, and has bent bill.

Originally restricted to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, this crested myna has since been introduced to Singapore, Taiwan, and various parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Dark gray overall with a spiffy erect crest and a bright yellowish-orange bill. Darker than Jungle Myna, with which it overlaps in both its native and introduced ranges. Also compare with Crested Myna; note Javan’s brighter bill and white vent. Bold and social, foraging in farms, parks, and gardens. Roosts in large noisy flocks, often close to human habitation.

Stout medium-sized bird of foothill and montane forests. Endemic to Java, where it is the only “white-browed” shrike-babbler. Male is dark above and white below, with a bold yellow wing panel and bright white eyebrow. Female averages duller than the male, with grayish upperparts, olive-yellow wings, and a weaker white eyebrow. Hops about in the middle and upper levels of forest, gleaning prey from branches and leaf clusters. Sometimes with mixed flocks. Song is a bright but rather bland series of 3-5 notes: “wi-chew-chew” or “wi-chew-ba-chew-ba.”