Yellow-browed Melidectes

Chunky, large-billed, streak-backed cisticola. Brown overall, without bright rufous in the plumage. Males are much larger than females. Found in grassland and savanna with scattered bushes. Song varies geographically but always consists of a rising note with a croaking quality. Larger than Stout Cisticola and lacks a bright rufous crown. Distinguished from most other cisticolas by large size and heavy bill. As with all cisticolas, habitat and voice are important cues in identification.

Medium-sized becard found at the edges of humid forests, woodlands, and gallery forests where it tends to perches on exposed branches. It has a chestnut crown contrasting with a broad gray band around the eyes and a cinnamon face and underparts. Sexes similar. The song is a soft musical whistled “teeuw-teeu-teeu.”

Unique dark oriole with a restricted range: found only in montane and submontane forests in northwestern Borneo, primarily within the Paya Maga highlands of Sarawak state. Male is inky black all over with a slight blue gloss. Female has a gray belly. Both sexes have a bright red bill and dark rust-red vent. Forages quietly in the canopy, often alone, but sometimes in pairs or small groups. Short echoing song can be likened to “woo-wich’ew!”.