Western Nicator

Black cockatoo with white ear patch and white tail panel. Inhabits moist eucalypt forest in the southwestern corner of Western Australia, where it eats seeds from large seed pods of Marri and Karri trees. Unlikely to be observed out on the coastal sand plains of Perth. Very similar to Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo but with much longer, pointed upper mandible. Calls include mournful wailing cries that are more clipped than those of Carnaby’s.

Rather large, fairly common woodcreeper of tropical forest in both dry and humid areas. Feeds mainly on larger trunks, often probing into bromeliads and moving methodically. Note the long stout bill, which is mostly pale (but not really ivory colored), and the bold streaking on the head, back, and underparts. Streak-headed Woodcreeper is smaller and more active, with a slender, slightly decurved bill, very different voice.

Beautiful leaf-green pitta of New Guinea and surrounding islands. Like the other “Hooded-type” pittas with which it was formerly grouped, this species has a black head, powder-blue shoulder patch, and red on the lower belly and undertail. Birds on Numfor Island, off northwestern New Guinea, have a broad deep blue border to the red belly patch. Song is a simple, insistent-sounding “wui, wuii!” with a barking quality.