Gray-headed Piprites

Striking red, black, and whitish myzomela found throughout New Caledonia, though preferring areas with native habitat. Male has red head and chest, black back, wings, and tail, and whitish flanks. Female much plainer, mostly brown with faint reddish tinge on face. Notably smaller than other honeyeaters on New Caledonia.

A drab brown sparrow-sized songbird with a downcurved bill. Note the pale base to the bill, the thin pale line between bill and eye, the pale skin behind the eye, and the prominent dark streaks on the breast. Inhabits montane forest and higher heathland, where it sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Larger than Seram Myzomela, and further differentiated by pale base to bill, pale facial line, bare facial skin, and bold streaking below. Gives a strident, melodious “twit-twoo” song and harsh “shhurr” and liquid “wip” notes.

Widespread and common vulture in lowland rainforest. Head may not appear yellow unless seen at close range. Best identified by steady flight with wings held at a slight dihedral. Similar to Turkey Vulture, but has broader wings which it holds flatter and does not teeter from side to side as often. Occurs in rainforest, cities, and agricultural areas.