Black-headed Parrotbill

A remarkable flycatcher; males are black above and white below with a broad tail that has longer central feathers and is usually held perpendicular to the others and spread like a fan. Females are mottled brown above and whitish below without the cocked tail. Occurs in open, humid, and tall grass savanna areas that have been well preserved. Mostly silent.

Small, distinctive boobook with extensive chestnut-brown barring. Favors surviving primary rainforest, but can sometimes be found in secondary growth; can be found on roadsides through suitable habitat when hunting. The only resident owl on the island; the migratory Northern Boobook is a winter visitor to the island, and is significantly larger and much darker overall, with an all-brown head and brown-striped white underparts. Present species gives an odd, distorted-sounding “qwr-qwerk.” Begging birds give a shrill trill. Unfortunately, like many other Christmas Island species, has suffered declines due to the introduced yellow crazy ant, which has caused the owl to disappear from parts of its range.

A medium-sized, slender reed warbler with a strong eyebrow and a dark eye-stripe. Rufous morph is rusty brown above and pale below with a cinnamon wash. Gray morph is cold pale gray above and gray-buff below. Found in woodland and open brush, sometimes in gardens and plantations. Call is a low, harsh “chru,” often followed by a short whistled song.