Thicket Antpitta

A medium-sized songbird endemic to New Zealand, confined to predator-free offshore islands and South Island mainland sanctuaries. Glossy black plumage with distinct chestnut saddle across the back, which gives the bird its name. Note the bright reddish-orange wattles on either side of the bill. Juveniles have smaller wattles and are chocolate brown for their first year. Listen for distinct calls resembling a blaring “cheeet ta-chet ta-chet ta-chet” sound. Constantly moves noisily as it restlessly forages on the floor and through the canopy. Flicks over leaves and digs into rotting logs with its strong bill in search of invertebrates. Distinguished from Eurasian Blackbird by chestnut saddle and wattles.

A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird with bright yellow underparts, an olive-yellow back, black lores, and very narrow white spectacles around the eyes. Common in nearly all habitats on the island of Pemba, including gardens, scrub, plantations, woodland, and forest edge. Usually in hyperactive flocks. Most common call is a high-pitched, rising rattle. Song is a long, cheerful series of whistled notes. The only white-eye on Pemba. 

A medium-sized bulky finchlike species with a small head and a thick bill. Males are blue overall with a glossy blue forehead and rump. Females are dark-brown above and paler below. Found at the edges of second growth and woodlands, typically singly or in pairs and normally very shy. Considered a partial austral migrant, moving a bit further north from the southern limit of its range in winter.