Halmahera Flowerpecker

Entirely indigo-blue male is unique; Verditer Flycatcher is brighter blue and more elongated. Female Nilgiri is gray overall, though can sometimes show a bluish tinge in good lighting. Song consists of a lengthy series of various whistles and warbled notes, typically given from an exposed perch by both sexes. Sallies from perches in hill forest and forest edge; most common above 1200 meters.

Uncommon in humid evergreen forest of tropical lowlands, where lives mainly at middle to upper levels in forest canopy. Presence often revealed by loud whistled “PEE-HAH” calls, which can be given in response to loud noises such as a sharp handclap. Often perches still and rather upright for long periods, sallying out occasionally for fruit and small invertebrates. Plumage bright rusty overall, with paler eyering and slightly bushy face. Rufous Mourner looks very similar but smaller and sleeker.

A striking black-and-red forest malimbe with a unique red patch on the vent. Male has a black face and a red crown, neck and breast; female only has red on the breast. A fairly common resident within its range, found in pairs in the middle levels and canopy of tall primary and secondary lowland forest, farmbush, cultivation, and clumps of trees near villages. Occasionally joins flocks, sometimes with other malimbes, and gleans leaves and thin twigs in the manner of a tit. Calls include a hard “tchuk” and also a cicada-like “zee-zee-zee.” Other similar-looking malimbes lack the red vent patch.