Millerbird

Small antbird of rainforest canopy; somewhat more common in forests with sandy soils. From below, note clean white underparts and heavy bill. Usually encountered with mixed-species flocks. Forages slowly along limbs and explores leaf clusters. Very similar to Todd’s Antwren and most safely separated from that species by voice. Song is an accelerating “bouncing ball” series, similar to Pygmy Antwren but with a harder quality and not falling in pitch at the end.

A remarkable flycatcher; males are black above and white below with a broad tail that has longer central feathers and is usually held perpendicular to the others and spread like a fan. Females are mottled brown above and whitish below without the cocked tail. Occurs in open, humid, and tall grass savanna areas that have been well preserved. Mostly silent.

Endemic to the Barusan Islands, off Sumatra’s northwest coast. Dark gingery brown overall, with a slightly lighter head. The only cuckoo-dove on the Barusans, except for Simeulue, where Little Cuckoo-Dove also occurs; note Barusan’s larger size and darker rust-brown chest. Inhabits forested areas in the lowlands and foothills of the Barusans. Similar in habits to other cuckoo-doves: shy and sluggish, typically foraging singly in the middle and lower levels of forest. Gives a three-part series of cooing hoots, “woo-woo-wooOOH”; may sound like just one rising hoot at a distance.