Plain Flowerpecker

Adult male glossy purple above, white below, with chestnut cheek patch, green wings, and white wing patch most noticeable in flight. Female gray-brown above, white below, and lacks the cheek patch; similar to a female Daurian Starling but less colorful, wing less marked. Prefers open areas with stands of tall vegetation. Regularly flocks with other starlings.

Chunky brownish owlet. Shows bars on the breast and spots on the belly. There is significant though subtle geographic variation. The back can be solidly chestnut or brown and barred, the back of the neck is barred, and the top of the head is either spotted or barred. Found in a variety of forest, from lowland rainforest to montane forest, as well as in thickets, and thick woodland. Often active and vocal during the day. Gives a yelping series of hoots, which are usually followed by emphatic, modulated, descending “ptrrrrr” notes. Similar to Pearl-spotted Owlet but has barring rather than spotting on the upperparts, and spots and bars rather than streaking on the underparts. Very similar to the rare Albertine Owlet, but in the area of overlap, has white rather than cream spotting on top of the head, a less richly-colored chestnut back, and a white rather than buff slash across the shoulder. Also reminiscent of Red-chested Owlet, but larger, with a barred chest, and lacks white spots on the tail.

Despite its exquisite coloration, this tiny finch is reclusive, generally uncommon, and seldom observed. Note emerald-green back and orange extending from the face down to the upper belly. Sky-blue forehead patch is much larger and brighter in males than females. Found in highland forests and forest edge; often associated with bamboo thickets.