Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo

A flat-crowned, plain brownish bird with a long tail found in arid spinifex/tussock grassland in inland Australia. Fairly secretive and skulking but inquisitive. Compare Australian Reed-Warbler and Tawny Grassbird, both species of much wetter grasslands, not spinifex habitats. Compare also Rufous Songlark, which has a different song, more patterned back, and rusty rump. Song is a variety of chirped phrases, similar to reed warblers.

Small songbird, mud brown above, pale below, with pale tan supercilium (white only in the lores) and black eyeline. Smaller-billed than the similar Radde's Warbler, which has a predominantly white supercilium (tan only in the lores). Inhabits a wide range of areas with dense, low vegetation, from open forests to agricultural field edges. Forages low in undergrowth, but regularly pops out to investigate surroundings. Easily detected by its hard “tak” calls, given constantly as it moves around out of sight. Song is a bland, brief series of rapidly repeated phrases: “jijijijiji.”

Beautiful little gem of a flycatcher. Note small dark mask, whitish belly, and iridescent aquamarine blaze on the forehead. Sexes similar. Immature birds are patchy-looking, with pale buffy spots scattered throughout the body. Compare with other blue flycatchers; note present species’ mask, size, and white belly. Forages at all levels of montane forest, often descending close to the ground or perching on posts and stumps close to paths. Can be quite tame and friendly, tolerating close approach. Joins mixed flocks. Song is a halting up-and-down series of high-pitched whistles. Calls include a dry chatter and harsh “tchak” calls.