Dusky-tailed Flatbill

Breeding male’s trail long streamers are almost double the length of his body. Male comes in rufous and white morphs; both morphs have dark head, weak triangular crest, and blue eyering. Females resemble a non-breeding rufous male, but with a duller blue eyering and slightly paler head. Readily confused with Amur and Indian Paradise-Flycatchers, as well as female Black Paradise-Flycatcher, in areas of overlap. In these regions, note present species’ short rounded crest (vs. longer pointed crest of Indian), and pale rufous undertail on rufous birds (vs. white undertail on Amur and black); rufous birds also gradual gradation of gray on underparts, lacking strong contrast and sharp cutoffs. Note dark wing and central tail feather shaft streaks on white birds. Inhabits evergreen broadleaf forest and forest edge, including secondary growth, gardens, and plantations, in lowlands and foothills. Some populations are migratory. Song is a ringing “wiwiwiwiwiwiwi;” call is a nasal “ji-jeh” or “ji-jeh-jeh.”

This unique and charismatic large flightless bird is the flagship species of New Caledonia. Now sadly limited to a handful of locations with high-quality forest. A bit larger than a domestic chicken, but with longer legs and a more upright posture. Overall powdery-blue colored with a large, expressive crest that can be raised or lowered; legs and bill are bright red. Intricate banded pattern in wings normally not visible except during displays. Very noisy, giving a prolonged nasal hooting and cackling series, often in duet, and most vociferously in the pre-dawn hours.

A large gadfly petrel with a pale white head and a distinctive dark eye-patch. Back is pale gray with darker outer wings, creating an “M” shape on the back. Look for stout black bill and pinkish-colored feet. Breed on Antipodes and Auckland Islands in the New Zealand region and also on subantarctic Indian Ocean and Macquarie Islands. Forages between the subantarctic and Antarctic convergence zones. Three similar species: Soft-plumaged Petrel is smaller with gray-brown head and band on upper breast; Gray Petrel is larger with a smaller, darker head, a pale green bill, and a long neck; and pale morph Kermadec Petrel is smaller, lacks an eye patch, has darker upperparts, and shows white patches under the wing.