Gray-hooded Parrotbill

Small flycatcher. Adult male is splendidly colored with a glowing orange supercilium, throat, and breast set against black upperparts, white underparts, and a white wing patch. Female is duller, with mouse-brown upperparts, tan chest, white belly, and narrow pale eyering; compare with more brightly-colored female Yellow-rumped Flycatcher. Song is beautiful and thrush-like, usually a trio or quartet of short, ringing notes. Breeds in well-shaded broadleaf and mixed forests; can be found in a wider range of wooded habitats on passage and in winter.

Brightly-colored male has a bright golden belly, a black chest band and head, and a clean white throat. He appears to have a black “shawl” with golden wings and a black tail. Female is considerably duller, being olive-brownish above and yellow below, with a pale throat and brown breast. Endemic to Utupua, in the southeastern Solomons, where it is found in most island habitats, though avoids villages. Voice includes a sequence of sparsely spaced, thin, uninspired whistles. Formerly grouped with Vanikoro Whistler and Nendo Whistler under “Temotu Whistler.”

Chunky parrotbill with a large head and a relatively short tail. Very similar in appearance to Rufous-headed and Pale-billed Parrotbills, but note brighter coloration and whiter underparts. Forages in small flocks, often with other species, in foothill forest bamboo clusters; also in reedbeds and tall grass. Song is a descending series of 4-5 whistles: “wee-dee-dee-dee-dee.” Calls include a loud, sputtering machine-gun chatter.