Black-billed Weaver

A pretty and distinctive bird that always lacks the long tail streamers possessed by some paradise-flycatchers. Note the rufous back and tail and the gray underparts. Males and females differ slightly: males have a black cap and a blue eye-ring, whereas females have a dark-gray cap without a distinctive eye-ring. Fairly common on Reunion in all types of humid forest. Rare on Mauritius in remnant rainforest patches. Calls include a tearing “sree-sreeet” and an agitated twittering. The song is a long musical series of “twee” notes.

Male distinctive, with bright yellow head, yellowish underparts. Female is drab and streaky, usually with yellowish wash to face, and often found with bright males. Note bright rusty rump. White outer tail feathers flash in flight. A species of heathland, forest clearings, and farmland with hedges. Male sings from a prominent perch, giving a dry and uninspired “dzidzidzidzidzi.” Forms flocks in winter, feeding mainly on ground in search of seeds. A native of Eurasia, introduced to New Zealand and a few adjacent islands.

Understory antbird of wet, forested habitats. Males are evenly gray; females are warm brown. Both sexes have tiny white wing spots and light gray eyes. Part of the species complex previously known as “Spot-winged Antbird;” it is similar to the previously conspecific Brownish-headed Antbird, which is separated by range and habitat. Humaita Antbird is found away from the foothills, in the Amazonian lowlands, while Brownish-headed is found in the understory of mature rainforest along the base of the Andes. In parts of its range, it is found nearly exclusively in palm swamps. Its song is a slowly-rising series of rapid high notes.