Buff-spotted Woodpecker

A gray-brown treecreeper with a rusty red eyebrow and pale throat and chest. Belly strongly streaked white.Viewed from behind, gray head contrasts with browner back. (White-throated Treecreeper has a brownish head and brownish back.) In flight, shows a broad pale wing-bar. Works its way up tree trunks. Usually found in very wet eucalypt forests; overlaps in habitat with White-throated Treecreeper. Calls are more raspy and insect-like than in White-throated Treecreeper.

Small flycatcher, common and widespread from Costa Rica to Argentina. Plumage is nondescript (and quite variable across range), but note bushy crest, active behavior, short bill, and plain face. Singles, pairs, or small groups can be found in a variety of wooded habitats, from dry scrub to the edge of mature rainforest, but often prefers second growth. Voice varies across range, with different populations probably representing separate species. Northern birds give plaintive whistled “teew, teew, teew” notes. Southern birds can give much different descending sputtering trill in addition to plaintive whistles.

A brightly colored songbird with a bright golden belly, a black hood and chest band, and an olive upperside and wings. Throat is a golden yellow. Population on Vella Lavella and Ranongga is mostly black with a golden throat, belly, and undertail. Birds on the Russell Islands are entirely golden, brighter below. Some birds on Guadalcanal are entirely cinnamon with a brownish “shawl” and a buffy belly. Mostly inhabits primary forest, but wanders into gardens and village edges. Voice includes a mix of flute-like whistles and squeaks with loud far-carrying whipcrack notes repeated.