Palau Fruit-Dove

A long, slender honeyeater of upper montane forest and shrubland. All black with a long tail, long, thin, slightly curved bill and a blue eye-ring with a small red spot behind. Forages singly at all levels in the vegetation and often cocks its tail. Similar to Short-bearded and Long-bearded Honeyeaters, but Sooty Melidectes is smaller and lacks the white beard. Call, harsh rasping notes.

An attractive small myzomela in which males are brick-red, with a slightly darker patch in front of the eyes. Female has distinctive plumage that is mostly reddish-brown. Found in the canopy of primary rainforest and forest edge as well as secondary growth. Unique reddish coloration separates it from similar species. Common call is a repeated high-pitched, insect-like “tsip.”

A huge, ground-dwelling cuckoo, bane of coyotes. Streaky brown overall with a very long tail and short, shaggy crest. Surprisingly iridescent in good light, with purple and green tones on wings and tail. Usually seen on the ground in dry desert habitats with patches of thick vegetation; sometimes perches on fences or rocks, especially when singing. Runs swiftly after large insects, lizards, and other prey. Unmistakable in most of range; overlaps locally with Lesser Roadrunner in west Mexico. Greater has more streaking on the throat and center of breast, instead of clear buffy on Lesser. Listen for very low-pitched cooing song.