Striped Sparrow

A rare, medium-sized honeyeater of lowland forests. Warm-brown above, orange-brown below, pinkish legs, a pale reddish eye and a dagger-shaped bill. Searches dead leaves for insects in mixed-species flocks. Similar in color and size to some shrikethrushes, and also Plain Honeyeater, but Tawny Straightbill has a thinner, sharper bill and a reddish eye. Song, a descending series of upslurred whistles. Call, a “whip!” note.

A small charcoal-colored songbird endemic to New Zealand. Confined to central North Island and a few offshore predator-free islands. Favors mature native and exotic forest stands. Male is almost all black with a white spot above the bill. Female and juvenile grayer, with lighter patches on breast and throat. Can be incredibly confiding and curious about humans. It is possible to bring individuals out into the open by disturbing leaf litter and then sitting quietly. Actively flushes out prey with foot trembling and by flicking its wings and tail. Male song is a loud and simple phrase of notes including “pwee-pwee-pwee.”

Small, dark member of the waxbill family. The back is red, the wings and tail black, and the underparts gray. Males and females are similar, though males show a bit of red on the flanks. Found in montane forest, mainly in thick and wet areas such as along streams, including forest edge and glades. Inconspicuous bird that is usually found in pairs or small groups. The call is a high-pitched “tsit.” Similar in size and overall coloration to Red-faced Crimsonwing, but darker, and doesn’t show red or yellow on the face.