Samoan Whistler

Unique pink wading bird with long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. Adults are mostly pink overall, with scarlet wing patches, orange tail, and bare pale-green head. Immatures are duller than adults but still washed with pale pink. Sometimes mistaken for a flamingo, but note spoonbill's distinctive bill, shorter legs, and shorter neck. Occurs in freshwater and saltwater wetlands from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through much of South America. Feeds by sifting side-to-side through shallow water. Often in small loose groups, sometimes with other wading birds like storks and herons.

A stunning blue-and-white kingfisher with entirely blue upperparts in both sexes. Female has white throat and pale blue breast and belly, but male shows more white, with pale blue confined to belly. Juvenile resembles dull male, with buff throat, spot near bill, and speckled breast and collar. Found singly and in pairs in lowland wooded areas, including cultivated areas and mangroves. Pale blue underside is unique among kingfishers in its limited south Moluccan range. Rowdy vocalizations include repetitive “ker-chick” series and “ki-ki-ki-ki…” calls.

A large gray-brown oriole with a straight, heavy bill. Main field mark is an ill-defined dark mask on the feathered face. Underparts paler than upperside. Juveniles display rufous-edged wings. Singles or pairs can be found in forest, forest edge, mangroves, and woodlands in lowlands and foothills. Similar to Buru Friarbird, but dark facial area is feathered, not bare; bill shape is thick and straight; and tail is shorter. Variable song consists of around three fluty notes, often rising and loudest on final note: “ku-wuWOOO.”