Finsch's Euphonia

Burly gray cuckooshrike with dark eyes and a heavy bill. Endemic to the southern and east-central Philippines, from Bohol east to Samar, and south to Mindanao and Basilan. Both male and female are gray above and barred black-and-white below. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, where forages at middle and upper levels, sometimes associating with other species. Gives a range of high-pitched and scratchy calls, including doubled screeching notes: “whee-wheet!” Formerly treated as part of a more broadly-defined “Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike”.

This large bunting is a common sight in dry open areas such as fields and rocky slopes. The male is brown with a gray-and-brown head pattern that is unique within this species’ range. The female has a pale head with a ghost of the male’s pattern. Often found perched boldly on boulders, exposed branches, and telephone wires, from which the male sings a long jumbled song started off by a short, sharp introductory note.

An extremely shy and retiring bird, usually sluggish and difficult to see in well-shaded forests; coloration is unlike that of any typical thrush. At a distance, seems entirely dark with a soft purple crown and tail; up close, black face and wingtips are visible. Overall coloration is a powdery brownish-purple in males and chestnut-brown in females. Will occasionally move with mixed-species flocks, but usually sluggish, seldom leaving its perch. Song is a far-carrying, hauntingly human-like whistle. Inhabits damp hill and submontane forests, particularly in areas with ravines and stream gullies.