Collared Crescentchest

Huge albatross of the Southern Ocean. Two subspecies: “Gibson’s” breeds primarily on Auckland Island and ranges at sea around New Zealand and eastern Australia; “Antipodean” breeds mostly on Antipodes and Campbell Islands and ranges mainly across Pacific to Humboldt Current off Chile. Plumage highly variable, starting chocolate-brown with a white face and gradually becoming whiter over many years. Younger birds separated from Southern Royal Albatross by darker tail, brown markings on head and back, and lack of black “lips” on cutting edge of bill. Older birds more difficult to separate; focus on more coarsely marked upperwings, often with conspicuous white patch in center of wing, and lack of black “lips”. Often shows orange stain on cheek, never shown by Southern Royal. Identification from other Wandering-type Albatross is extremely difficult and often presumed by range. Older “Antipodean” often retain complete dark cap, tail, and upperwings.

Large gray cuckoo with green-glossed wings and red skin around the eye. Broad white tips to tail feathers visible from below. Averages paler and with darker red on the facial skin than similar Chestnut-bellied Malkoha and lacks its dark chestnut belly. Green-billed Malkoha paler gray and has bright white lines around the facial patch. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests and forest edges, where it clambers about rather clumsily in trees and dense tangles. Gives a rather hollow, clipped-off hoot, as well as a bright, rising call.

A medium-sized thrushlike bird of dense forests and undergrowth. The reddish brown coloration and white spectacles are distinctive. Usually skulks in dense vegetation, but may sing from an exposed perch or forage out in the open during dawn and dusk. Usually observed singly or in pairs. The song is loud, long, and varied, involving mimicry of other birds, whistles, and harsh notes that are often repeated. Introduced to Taiwan, Japan, and the Hawaiian Islands.