Wandering Whistling-Duck

Big, broad-winged brown swallow with heavy streaking below. Can be found in almost any habitat, though it prefers areas near water. Most often seen on the wing, sometimes in flocks, which can also contain other species of swallow or swift. Constantly gives a distinctive tearing “schreeaw” call, especially in flight. Larger than Plain Martin, with streaks below, and much more powerful flight. Shares streaking with striped-swallows, but has brown on the back and head, rather than blue and orange. 

A striking black-and-white flycatcher-like songbird confined to Tanahjampea Island. Black above, with a black hood and upper chest and a crisp white lower breast, belly, rump, and tips to outer tail feathers. Black areas are brown in juvenile, which has a buff belly and rump. Cocks tail regularly. Found singly or in pairs in forest, mangrove, and scrub in lowlands and foothills. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Unique within its tiny range. Song is a mournful, repeated whistle, “weeoo-weeoo...”. Also gives a rasping, agitated “grrr” and metallic, grating “weer” calls.

Breeding male’s trail long streamers are almost double the length of his body. Male comes in rufous and white morphs; both morphs have dark head, weak triangular crest, and blue eyering. Females resemble a non-breeding rufous male, but with a duller blue eyering and slightly paler head. Readily confused with Amur and Indian Paradise-Flycatchers, as well as female Black Paradise-Flycatcher, in areas of overlap. In these regions, note present species’ short rounded crest (vs. longer pointed crest of Indian), and pale rufous undertail on rufous birds (vs. white undertail on Amur and black); rufous birds also gradual gradation of gray on underparts, lacking strong contrast and sharp cutoffs. Note dark wing and central tail feather shaft streaks on white birds. Inhabits evergreen broadleaf forest and forest edge, including secondary growth, gardens, and plantations, in lowlands and foothills. Some populations are migratory. Song is a ringing “wiwiwiwiwiwiwi;” call is a nasal “ji-jeh” or “ji-jeh-jeh.”