Blue-throated Barbet

Spectacular ground-dwelling pigeon with long, extravagant plumes trailing down from the neck. Dark green intermixed with gray, blue, and bronzy orange, depending on the light. Tail is snow-white, but only readily visible when the bird is flushed. Generally shy, quiet, and difficult to see. Inhabits small, densely forested offshore islands from the Indian Andamans to the Solomons and New Guinea.

Plumage brown above and whitish below with droplet-shaped dark spots; breast has rich buffy wash in fresh plumage (mainly autumn–winter). Appreciably smaller, darker overall, and more compact than Mistle Thrush. An inhabitant of wooded habitats, including parks, gardens, and farmland with hedges and taller trees; often feeds on lawns and grassy verges, but usually near cover. Strident song, often heard in suburban neighborhoods, is more prolonged than that of Eurasian Blackbird, and frequently repeats phrases 2-4 times. A native of Eurasia, introduced to southeastern Australia, New Zealand, and a few surrounding islands.

Large, widespread woodcreeper in lowland forest and forest edge. Buff throat is often difficult to see. More easily identified by its reddish brown coloration, buffy streaking on head and breast, and heavy, relatively long bill. Often found around human habitations with forest edge, but also common in more mature forest. Very vocal, heard more often than seen; listen for a long rising-falling series of rich “chew” notes. The most common woodcreeper over most of its range.