Ala Shan Redstart

A brightly colored inhabitant of thickets and scrub near water. The combination of blue-gray upperparts, extensively yellow underparts, white wingbars, and distinctive facial pattern are unique within its range. The song is variable, but most often is a burbling series of sweet notes given in three parts, with the middle part higher pitched. The call is a single loud sweet chip.

Small passerine endemic to New Zealand. Shows extensive brown streaking above with paler coloration underneath. Distinctive long tail has a frayed look. Both sexes and juveniles alike. Patchily distributed across North, South, Stewart, and Snares Islands in wetland habitat, often where vegetation is thick. Can occur in shrubland and tussock grassland. Cryptic bird, heard more often than seen. Gives a sharp “tchip” call and a metallic “u-tick,” often in duet as a pair. Note drooping tail during low flight. Distinguishable from Dunnock by larger size, longer tail, and lighter underparts.

A striking long-tailed flycatcher. Male is gleaming white below and black above with a bold white shoulder patch. Female is reddish-brown above with a conspicuous white eyebrow and a whitish underside. Singles and pairs occupy the canopy of forest, woodland, and savanna within lowlands and hills. Confined to Timor, Rote, and Semau islands. Both sexes differ from Pied Bushchat in being whitish below and significantly longer-tailed. Song comprises a sequence of staccato notes: “sweet-cherrrgrrr-wichu.” Also gives a soft, grating “tchuk.”