Newton's Fiscal

A large, long-tailed gray-and-green fruit-dove confined to Sulawesi. Head and most of underside pale gray, with a salmon wash on the belly and a dark, vinous-red base to the undertail. Shows a small maroon patch on throat and a yellow bill. Juveniles duller, and greener on crown and neck. Found singly or in pairs in upper levels of forest understory within lowlands and foothills. Maroon chin, yellow bill, and largely pale underparts make it easily recognized within its limited range. Song is a series of staccato whoop notes, variable in length: “whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop.”

Attractive bulbul of foothill and montane forest edges and clearings. Endemic to Sumatra, Java, and Bali; introduced to Lombok. Brown above and white below, with bright orange patches on the face and a golden-yellowish tinge to the wings and cheeks. Also note the weak crest, which is not always raised. Generally unmistakable in its range; only confusion species is Aceh Bulbul, but note present species’ pale belly and range differences. Often gathers at fruiting trees. Call is a hard, decisive-sounding “tjik”, often given in series. Song is a bubbly series of bright fluid notes, often given with a somewhat hesitant quality.

A small inhabitant of thickets in woodlands and scrublands where it feeds by actively searching for insects within tangles; avoids mangroves and well-manicured woodlands that lack dense undergrowth. The Greater Antillean Elaenia shares this species’ wingbars and overall dull coloration, but the elaenia has prominent whitish markings around the eye and is usually found perched upright or flycatching. The Jamaican Vireo’s song includes a “chi-wee, chi-wee, chi-wee, chi-wee, you,” a “chi-wuh, chi-wuh, chi-wuh, zha,” and a “wee-wee-zhrr.” Calls include “jip,” given singly or in a series, and a harsh upslurred “zhweee.”