Black-eared Seedeater

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.

A small, localized bird of montane forest in eastern Mindanao. Has a long, curved bill, an olive back, an orange mark in the middle of the chest and a bluish tail with white tips. Male has an iridescent blue crown, cheek, and wing, a green shoulder and rump, yellow underparts, and a small orange patch in front of the shoulder. Female has faint streaking on the underparts, a gray head, and golden-olive wings. Similar to Metallic-winged Sunbird, but male has a blue wing and female a gray head. Voice includes a high-pitched jumbled song, a series of sharp “chik!” notes, and an upslurred high-pitched whistle.

Small, shy bunting, usually seen through a screen of thick shrubby vegetation in low, dense thickets. Brightly colored adult male distinctive, with brilliant chestnut upperparts and a daisy-yellow belly. Female and young males somewhat resemble a female Yellow-breasted Bunting but are much smaller and darker overall, with a less distinct facial pattern and browner underparts. Favors open forests with dense ground covering for breeding, but can be found in a wider range of habitats with suitable cover in the non-breeding season.