Cape Shoveler

A recently described species endemic to the declining montane forests of Taliabu. Dark, sparrow-sized warbler with a scruffy-looking, graduated tail. Dark above, with a pale eyebrow and throat; very similar in appearance to Seram, Sulawesi, and Buru Bush Warblers, all formerly grouped under “Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler.” Secretive and skulky, moving about stealthily in dense vegetation on or near the ground. Darker above and dingier below than migrant grasshopper warblers such as Gray’s and Middendorff’s, and with a prominent white throat. Song is a series of extremely high, thin notes: “tzi’eeee, tzi’eeee, tzi’eeee.”

A large and boldly-marked but secretive babbler of hilly and mountainous regions, where it sticks to dense shrubbery. Note white eyes, streaky brown plumage, and dark chestnut “moustache” stripes on each side of the throat. Pops into the open to sing, but timid and soon disappears back into the undergrowth.

A beautiful green turaco with dark blue wings, tail, and crown. Note the white markings on the head: a white spot in front of the eye and a white line below the eye. Like all turacos, shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in montane forests, lush woodlands, and gardens. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Similar overall to other turacos, but separated from most by the dark blue crown, and from Purple-crested Turaco by the white facial markings. Call is a gruff, accelerating series of “kow” notes.