White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher

Chunky rainforest bird with emerald green upperparts, thick pale beak, and a large black "ear" spot below the dark red eye. Underparts are pale green-olive with extensive pale spotting. Inhabits New Guinea, and northern Cape York (Queensland). Almost identical in appearance to the Spotted Catbird, which is fractionally larger, so in Australia this species is best identified by range (Spotted Catbird found only further south in the Cairns region). Forages mostly in middle and upper story of rainforest. Catbirds are well known for their characteristic and distinctive cat-like yowling calls.

A medium-sized, bright-buff bird usually found foraging on the ground in a variety of habitats from croplands to forests. Best separated from similar Spectacled Thrush by its all black bill and lack of bold eyering. Song is a series of sweet up-slurred and down-slurred whistles. Calls are quite different than Spectacled Thrush and include a quick, slightly squeaky “ji-ji-ji-ji-ji” and a paired “chee-ip, chee-ip.”

This charming ball of a bird can be difficult to see as it forages quietly on the forest floor within its preferred wet forest habitat. Male has a glossy black body and bristly reddish pompom crest. Female is moss-green with warm cinnamon-brown wings. Both sexes have a bright red ring around the eye. Listen for its song, a series of piercing tremulous whistles.