Temminck's Courser

Small, dark starling with a bright red eye, short tail, and thick bill. Male glossy black with a faintly striated pattern. Female gray overall, slightly paler on the underparts. Found throughout New Caledonia and on the Loyalty Islands, though more common in areas of higher quality habitat. Most common call a surprisingly high-pitched, clear downslurred whistle. Also gives a more rarely-heard quiet babbling song.

Warm brown above and pale below; strong dark eyestripe contrasts with white eyebrow. Smallish reed warbler with long and strongly rounded tail, short bill with dark tip, and short primary projection. Difficult to separate visually from other small Acrocephalus warblers, especially Blunt-winged Warbler; note Paddyfield’s more prominent pale eyebrow which strengthens behind the eye, as well as longer-winged appearance. Also compare with Iduna warblers. Breeds in extensive reed beds; in nonbreeding season found in marshes, but also more scrubby areas. Distinctive, melodious song.

Spiffy warbler found in boggy areas. Blue-gray above and yellow below with distinctive yellow spectacles and necklace of black streaks. Legs are pale orange. Females show fainter necklace than males. Typically found in low vegetation, especially wet woods and thickets. Nests on the ground. Feeds on insects. One of the longest-distance migrant warblers; winters in South America.