Chestnut-bellied Cotinga

Lanky bunting with a gray head, chestnut-brown wings, and a sharp bicolored bill. Male has a intricately streaked face featuring three bright white stripes and dark streaks on the chest. Female has a ghost of the male’s pale stripes, lacking any dark stripes. African subspecies are a richer chestnut and darker-headed than Asian birds. Breeds in rocky scrub often in or near villages and farms. Territorial in the breeding season, but often forms flocks in the winter. Song is a quick series of rolling buzzes and sweet whistles. Call is a simple, sparrowlike chip.

Large, dark, olive-green sunbird with a long, down-curved bill. Can show yellow tufts on the shoulders, though these are usually hidden. Found in forest and adjacent gardens and lush scrub. Usually in the understory. Less social than other sunbirds, and often seen alone. Most distinctive vocalization is a pretty, up-and-down series of clear notes. Mouse-colored Sunbird is similar, but Olive Sunbird is more olive-green than gray.

Beautiful leaf-green pitta of Biak Island, off northwestern New Guinea. Like the other “Hooded-type” pittas with which it was formerly grouped, this species has a black head, powder-blue shoulder patch, and red on the lower belly and undertail. In addition, this species has a broad deep blue border to the red belly patch, much like the Eastern Hooded Pittas on neighboring Numfor Island. Song is a rather harsh, rolling “weer, weer.”