Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker

Distinctive, locally common nighthawk of lowland rivers. Appears small and dark; in dim light, best distinguished from other nighthawks by swallowlike profile and longish tail. Also note the white band across tail and lack of white in wings. Usually found near water in forest and savanna regions, occasionally in large groups; does not tend to fly high. Dark plumage recalls Blackish Nightjar, but shape and behavior are very different.

A long, slender honeyeater of subalpine forest and shrubland in eastern New Guinea. All sooty gray-black plumage with long tail and very long, thin, curved bill, long white, whispy beard from the base of the bill, and a yellow-orange wattle at the back of the eye. Some white scaling on the belly. Similar to Sooty Melidectes, but Long-bearded Melidectes is larger and has a white beard. Not very vocal but gives a quiet “eh eh eh” call.

Tiny, with long wings and a short greenish bill with a small red base. Face and underparts are plain slaty gray on male, and buffy to whitish on female and juvenile. Adults have plain flanks and boldly barred undertail coverts. Juvenile has barred flanks; compare to similar Baillon’s Crake. Breeds in freshwater wetlands with extensive emergent vegetation, and spends the non-breeding season in a wide range of marshy habitats. Often favors deeper-water aquatic plant stands than other rails and crakes, clambering about nimbly amongst the vegetation. Usually retiring and rarely seen, but can be confiding. Males give a long song that starts with a series of “qwek” notes that eventually accelerates and tapers off; females respond with a descending trill with a similar quality.